Inside PV Sindhu's engine room: How the 31-year-old is running on smarter fuel

PV Sindhu’s latest loss at the BWF World Championships did not come with the physical exhaustion that once marked her performances. After falling to Wang Zhi Yi in a tightly contested pre-quarterfinal at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Sindhu remained composed and engaged, offering thoughtful reflections on her game rather than showing signs of fatigue. This contrasted sharply with previous seasons, during which injuries and persistent physical challenges often limited her ability to compete at peak levels. Now, at 31, Sindhu appears to be operating under a new framework, one that emphasizes precision over endurance, strategy over sheer effort. The defeat to Wang Zhi Yi, though disappointing, underscored the evolving nature of Sindhu’s preparation. The match lasted nearly 90 minutes, with the Chinese player prevailing in three sets. Despite the loss, Sindhu’s energy levels were visibly higher post-match, indicating a shift in how she approaches competition. Her team believes this transformation stems from a deeper integration of scientific methodologies into her training regimen. This evolution became particularly evident after a series of setbacks that forced Sindhu to reassess her priorities. A stress fracture in her left foot sustained during the 2022 Commonwealth Games led to a prolonged period of uncertainty. Though she ultimately recovered, the subsequent months felt like a struggle to reclaim her former form. Then, in October 2025, a new injury, a combination of foot and hamstring issues, prompted a difficult decision: to shut down her season entirely. For a player known for her relentless schedule, this was a rare concession to her body’s limits. It was during this downtime that Wayne Lombard, Sindhu’s head of performance, returned for his second stint with her. Lombard introduced a concept he refers to as “reverse engineering.” Rather than focusing solely on improving her on-court skills, the team began analyzing what Sindhu required to perform optimally. This included examining factors such as sleep quality, nutritional intake, and the effectiveness of physiotherapy and strength-and-conditioning programs. The goal was to build a holistic approach that supported her both physically and mentally. Lombard emphasized the importance of a process-driven mindset. “The outcome is not so important for me,” he told the Badminton Association of India. “Hopefully, the outcome takes care of itself and we get the processes right.” His focus has shifted toward creating a more targeted and efficient training environment, ensuring that every aspect of Sindhu’s routine contributes directly to her competitive edge. A key element of this approach involves advanced data analysis. Since indoor badminton courts make traditional GPS tracking impractical, Sindhu’s team relies on an accelerometer-based inertial movement system. This technology allows them to track metrics such as distance covered, changes in direction, and intensity of movement. By mapping these patterns, the team gains insights into how opponents target Sindhu during matches. “We’ve created maps of different matches from one to 12 o'clock,” Lombard explained. “We can see exactly where everyone is targeting her high-intensity movements and where the slightly low-intensity movements are going. And then we can start mimicking that in training as well.” One particular number has drawn attention: 4. While its exact significance remains undisclosed, it highlights the growing reliance on quantifiable data to refine Sindhu’s technique and strategy. The team’s efforts are aimed at optimizing her movements, ensuring she is not only prepared for the demands of competition but also able to sustain her performance over longer periods. Sindhu’s support network includes figures such as sports physiotherapist Heera Mundluru and coach Irwansyah, along with specialists in nutrition and strength-and-conditioning. Together, they have crafted a program that prioritizes specificity and efficiency. The result is a player who seems less reliant on brute force and more attuned to the nuances of modern badminton. As Sindhu continues to navigate this new phase of her career, the focus remains on sustainable progress rather than immediate results. With each match, the lessons learned from her setbacks and the innovations implemented in her training are shaping a path forward, one that blends tradition with cutting-edge science.