Indian badminton star PV Sindhu expressed happiness at rediscovering her competitive form after finishing runner-up at the French Open in Paris on Sunday. Although she missed out on the gold medal, Sindhu said reaching the final made the long hours of training, difficult defeats and injury struggles feel worthwhile.
Sindhu lost to South Korea’s world No. 1 An Se-young 16-21, 21-11, 21-12 in a 61-minute final. Despite the defeat, her run to the title clash marked an encouraging milestone in her comeback after several years of injuries and disappointing results.
“Of course, I wanted the gold. But there’s a part of me that’s just really happy to feel all those long days, difficult losses and endless hours of work finally beginning to mean something,” Sindhu wrote in an Instagram post after the match.
“I’ve missed this feeling more than I can explain,” she added.
Sindhu’s Recent Performances Signal a Comeback
Sindhu’s French Open campaign added to the positive signs from her recent performances. Her victory at the Japan Open, a prestigious BWF Super 750 tournament in July, had already suggested that she was regaining her rhythm and confidence.
Working with coach Irwansyah, Sindhu has been focusing on improving her front-court game, showing greater patience and maintaining control during rallies. Her semifinal victory over Japan’s Hina Akechi, in which she won 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 in 73 minutes, highlighted her resilience under pressure.
The performance helped her reach another major final and offered further encouragement as she continues working towards consistent results on the international circuit.
An Se-young Rallies to Claim the Title
Sindhu made a promising start in the final against An Se-young, taking the opening game 21-16 after leading 11-9 at the interval. However, the South Korean raised her intensity in the second game, using her speed, consistency and court coverage to take control of the contest.
An won the second game 21-11 before sealing the title with a 21-12 victory in the decider. The result extended Sindhu’s losing streak against the reigning world No. 1, who continued to demonstrate why she is among the dominant players in women’s badminton.
Despite the disappointment, Sindhu praised her opponent and acknowledged her achievements.
“@a_sy_2225, keep shining. You’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and it’s a privilege to share the court with you,” Sindhu wrote.
Silver Medal Offers Encouragement for Sindhu
While Sindhu would have preferred to leave Paris with the title, her journey to the final provided reasons for optimism. After navigating injuries and challenging periods in her career, reaching the championship match represents an encouraging step towards rebuilding her form.
Her message after the final reflected both her disappointment at missing out on gold and her appreciation for the progress she has made. For Sindhu, the silver medal was not simply a runner-up finish but a reminder that her hard work is beginning to pay off.