Olympic Star Sindhu Mentors India's Next Badminton Champion

When 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma pushed China's world No. 2 badminton player to three grueling sets at the India Open, she didn't just turn heads. She caught the eye of her childhood hero, PV Sindhu, who immediately offered to train her.

For the past three days, India's two-time Olympic medalist has been personally mentoring the teenager from Hoshiarpur at the Constitution Club of India courts. Their training sessions have included intense rallies, technique work, and even a fun 3-vs-3 match with sparring partners.

"For sure, she has the potential to be the one coming up after me," Sindhu told reporters after their training wrapped up. The 29-year-old champion praised Tanvi's powerful smashes, quick court movement, and advanced skills for someone so young.

Tanvi lost her first-round match to Wang Zhiyi, but not before winning a set and missing a game point that had the Chinese star rattled. The quality of play from someone ranked far below her opponent showcased exactly why Sindhu sees such promise.

For Tanvi, the week has been surreal. She only got into the Super 750 tournament through late withdrawals, played on the court next to her idol, and now gets to learn from her in close quarters.

"It's been a great privilege," Tanvi said, barely containing her excitement. "From a kid watching her play and hoping to learn everything possible, now I was playing next to her."

Why This Inspires

This story captures something rare in elite sports: a champion making time to nurture the next generation. Sindhu didn't have to reach out after her own disappointing loss at the tournament, but she saw potential and acted on it.

The mentorship came together organically when Tanvi's coach Park Tae Sang had to return to Guwahati. Park, who previously coached Sindhu, asked his former student if she'd train with Tanvi, and Sindhu immediately agreed.

Sindhu's advice is simple but powerful. "Just keep working hard," she told Tanvi. "It can be frustrating to travel and lose early at tournaments, but she needs to understand that the next phase is a stepping stone."

Tanvi is already applying those lessons. After her loss to Wang, she watched the crucial 20-19 point repeatedly, analyzing what went wrong and where she needed more patience.

The teenager fondly remembers watching Sindhu's Rio 2016 matches and cheering wildly at Gopichand Academy during the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals. She hasn't yet told Sindhu directly that she's her inspiration, but after three days of training together, Sindhu knows.

As India's badminton scene continues growing, moments like these ensure the sport's future shines as bright as its present.