Two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion PV Sindhu has once again exited in the first round—this time at the Japan Open 2025. Facing South Korea’s Sim Yu Jin in a Super 750 clash, Sindhu fell 15-21, 14-21 in just under 40 minutes. For fans hoping for a comeback, this marks her fifth first-round loss this season, a streak as painful as a mistimed drop shot.
While Sindhu showed flashes of brilliance, especially clawing back to 11-11 in the second game, Sim’s superior court control and Sindhu’s judgment errors proved decisive. The defeat has sparked fresh concerns about Sindhu’s form heading into the final quarter of the season.
What’s Going Wrong for PV Sindhu?
🧠 Rust or Reboot Needed?
Sindhu looked rusty and reactive on court, struggling with length judgment and speed adaptation. Whether it’s a training intensity issue, a mental fatigue hangover from Olympic highs, or just a slump, it’s clear the magic that once stunned world champions now needs some serious fine-tuning.
📉 A Season to Forget?
2025 hasn’t been kind to India’s badminton queen. First-round exits are piling up like unforced errors, and questions about her tactical evolution—or lack thereof—are getting louder. For someone who once tamed Carolina Marín and Tai Tzu-Ying, this version of Sindhu looks uncharacteristically hesitant.
But let’s not write her off just yet. Champions stumble; legends rebuild.
Bright Spots in the Indian Camp
While PV Sindhu hit a rough patch, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lit up the doubles court with a 21-18, 21-10 masterclass against Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Kim Dong Ju. The world No.15 pair played like they were on cheat mode—clinical, aggressive, and in perfect sync.
Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen, known more for his “almost there” moments this year, finally found some rhythm. He dispatched China’s Wang Zheng Xing 21-11, 21-18 in straight games, setting up a spicy second-round clash with Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
Could Lakshya and Satwik-Chirag pick up the torch that Sindhu seems to be dropping? The momentum is shifting.
188BET Odds Update 🎯
According to 188BET, PV Sindhu’s odds for winning any remaining 2025 Super Series titles have slipped to 18.0, down from 6.5 at the start of the year. Conversely, Lakshya Sen’s odds improved to 7.0 after his convincing win in Round 1. Satwik-Chirag are now among the top 3 favourites in men’s doubles at 3.25 odds to take home the title.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Sindhu is facing form and consistency issues, including poor judgment on court and frequent early exits. It could be a mix of mental burnout and technical stagnation.
No, 2025 marks a low point in Sindhu’s career, with five first-round exits in major tournaments—an unusual slump for the former world champion.
While there’s no official word, at 30, Sindhu still has time to bounce back. Many athletes have peaked in their 30s, so a comeback is definitely possible.
Satwik-Chirag in men’s doubles and Lakshya Sen in men’s singles are emerging as strong contenders, with consistent performances and rising global rankings.
She is expected to compete in the China Open and Denmark Open later this season—key events for her to rebuild confidence and gather ranking points.
Platforms like 188BET offer real-time odds and markets on all major badminton events, including Super Series and Grand Prix tournaments.
Conclusion: Time for Sindhu to Regroup, Not Retreat
The PV Sindhu we once watched dominate global courts is clearly at a crossroads. At 30, she’s still got game—but does she have the grind? With the 2026 Asian Games and Paris 2028 looming, this may be the best (and last?) chance for a career-defining second wind.
📢 What do you think? Should Sindhu take a break or push through the storm? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this article with a fellow badminton buff!
