Sindhu Withdraws from Uber Cup for Paris Olympics preparation
PV Sindhu, a double Olympic medallist, along with the two top women’s doubles pairs, has chosen to withdraw from the Uber Cup. However, a formidable men’s team is gearing up for the Thomas Cup defense, set to kick off in Chengdu on April 27.
Sindhu, who has participated in six tournaments since her comeback during the Badminton Asia Team Championships in February, decided to step back from the event to ensure ample time for her recovery and preparation, aiming to be in top form for the Paris Olympics.
The top women’s doubles pairs—Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Ashwini Ponnappa along with Tanisha Crasto—also opted out of the Uber Cup. Their decision stemmed from the absence of Sindhu, signaling a lack of full strength in the team. Instead, they intend to focus on other competitions as they strive to secure their spot in the Olympics.
In response to these withdrawals, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has chosen to recognize the outstanding performers of the Senior National Championships by granting them the opportunity to represent India.
Sanjay Mishra, Secretary of BAI, stated, “Sindhu has opted out due to her recent injury and her dedication to adequately prepare for the Paris Games, where she aims to bring further glory to the nation. The doubles pairs have also decided to prioritize their qualification journey, leading to their withdrawal. As a result, we have decided to reward the semi-finalists of the national championships by including them in the team.”