Gracious in Defeat vs Carolina Marin, PV Sindhu Says 'Never Thought I Would Get This Far'

PV Sindhu's silver at the Rio Olympics 2016 is a new high for Indian badminton. The 21-year-old Hyderabad girl went down against Spain's Carolina Marin 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 in a contest that lasted an hour and 23 minutes.

Sindhu was gracious in defeat. She embraced Marin after a well-contested final that the Spaniard deserved to win.

"Never thought I would make it this far. Overall I am on cloud nine at the moment, this feels amazing," Sindhu told NDTV after her match.

Sindhu was in great form till she met world champion Carolina Marin in Rio on Friday. In her maiden Olympics, Sindhu staged a marvelous comeback to win the first game 21-19.



Sindhu's intensity and her hunger to win against a high quality rival was very clear.

"When I got into the semis, I told myself, no way do I want bronze, I want gold," said Sindhu.

'Anybody's game'

This was the fifth time in eight matches that Sindhu lost to world champion Marin. Sindhu's silver finish was a better show than Saina Nehwal's bronze medal in London 2012.

"I ended up with silver medal but am really happy," said Sindhu. "I'm really proud about it. I'm really happy. I could not win the gold. But I really worked hard. It was anybody's game.

"I really fought very hard and gave my heart out. When I came to final, I told myself just one match to go and you could win a gold medal. Give it your best, and I tried very hard. I feel it was her day."

Lauds Sakshi Malik

Sindhu also lauded Sakshi Malik, who opened the India's medals tally with a bronze at the Rio Games and became the first Indian woman wrestler to win a medal in Olympics.

"A day before a girl has got a bronze, it's me now. We have all played well. There will be ups and downs in sport like in life. Losing one or two points. I would like to congratulate everyone. It's been a great week for me.

"I never thought I would make it to the final, but when I finally made it I thought I've to... I really worked hard. I missed the gold."

Praising Marin on her Olympic gold, Sindhu said: "I also congratulate Carolina. It's been a wonderful week for me. It's anybody's aim to win a medal at the Olympics."

Talking about the final match, Sindhu said: "In today's match both players were attacking and playing aggressive on court. One has to win and one has to lose. It was her day on centre court today. I'm very happy for her. She's doing a great job.

"Overall, it's not that I didn't play well or get points. It was a good match, I can tell you. After the second game, we both were 10-all in the third. She took a lead of four points, and that lead went on. There were simple errors from my side," she explained.

The 21-year-old from Hyderabad said bright days are ahead for Indian badminton.

"Future is good definitely. There are many players coming up, and many more will succeed. Badminton is doing really well in India. In men's singles Srikanth lost very closely," she said.

(With inputs from Suprita Das and PTI)