Indian badminton star PV Sindhu sent social media into a frenzy on Monday as she shared a message, on Twitter and Instagram, that started with "I RETIRE" written in big and bold letters. "Denmark Open was the final straw. I RETIRE," the first in her series of messages read. She goes on to talk about how she wants to come clean with her feelings and tells fans that they may be confused while reading the message but will "have learnt about my point of view". She writes about the coronavirus pandemic and how it has impacted her. However, the end of the message provides the twist.
"Today I choose to retire from this current sense of unrest. I retire from this negativity," she wrote, before admitting that she may have given readers "a mini heart attack". She said that "unprecedented times require unprecedented measures".
The message talks about staying careful and not adapting a "lackadaisical attitude towards the virus".
It concludes with her saying that when faced with difficulties, one must fight back twice as hard, as she will in training and in the Asia Open
Social media users were left shocked, but eventually relieved by her post.
"That gave me a scare for a moment . You are right we all need to unite against this virus by following the protocols . We wil fight off the virus together," one user wrote.
"Shocked initially ... later relieved. Nice campaign," wrote another.
"So you aren't retiring from badminton then," another user chipped in.
PV Sindhu is currently in London to prepare for next year's Asia leg of the Badminton World Federation's calendar.