Asian Games 2026: PV Sindhu reacts to scheduling fiasco after quarterfinal exit

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Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu reflected on the physical and emotional toll of a brutal schedule following her quarterfinal loss at the Asian Games 2026.

Taking to social media to share her thoughts, Sindhu pointed to the small recovery window between her matches as a big factor in the outcome of the tournament.

“I needed a little time to put this into words. My Asian Games campaign is over, and I’m hurting. Three points from closing out that quarterfinal. I keep coming back to those three points. Like in China, long, demanding rallies at the most critical moments turned the match. I had my chance. Letting it slip hurts,” Sindhu wrote on X.

“Three matches in 18 hours. Back at 3 am, out again at 8:30 a.m. It took a toll. But after a camp that gave me every reason to believe, I wanted so much more. My team and I are already working on closing out those moments. We will fix it,” she added.

The gruelling Saturday schedule saw Sindhu endure severe delays and court changes. After wrapping up her second match near 1:00 AM, she managed only a brief sleep after completing her post-match routines before returning to the venue by 8:30 AM for the showdown against Chen.

Although she dominated the opening game, Chen’s long rallies wore down the Indian star, who ended up losing 21-11, 18-21, 10-21 to her Chinese opponent.

PV Sindhu optimistic despite Asian Games setback

Despite the disappointment of the quarterfinal defeat, Sindhu expressed pride in her longevity and consistency in representing the nation at the Asian Games since her debut in 2014.

“I’m hurting, but that’s okay. I’m glad it still means enough to hurt this much. I still want this. I still bring all of myself to that court. That feeling keeps me going,” Sindhu wrote.

“There’s room for pride, too. From my first Asian Games in 2014 to my fourth now, twelve years of giving everything for India. I want to let myself feel that. One painful result cannot define a journey that means so much.”

“To everyone who stayed up, cheered and believed: I wanted those last three points for us, too. Thank you for standing beside me. I’ll go again,” she concluded.

(With inputs from ANI)

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