Indian badminton star PV Sindhu made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Japan Open 2026 title, ending a two-year wait for a major championship. Behind her remarkable comeback was not only intense training and sports science, but also a valuable piece of advice from Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli.
During a difficult phase in her career, Sindhu reached out to Kohli, asking how he dealt with his own struggles while waiting for a long-awaited century. Kohli’s message was simple — focus on rediscovering the joy of playing the sport.
That advice stayed with Sindhu during her recovery after a toe ligament injury, when she was advised to take a three-month break. Her husband, Venkata Datta Sai, helped her take a mental reset and rebuild her confidence. She trained at the Exos Sports Performance facility in Atlanta, working on rehabilitation and strengthening.
Sindhu’s comeback was supported by a 13-member team, including coaches, fitness experts and support staff. Sports science analysis also helped identify areas where she needed improvement, including her attacking mindset and decision-making during rallies.
Fitness and diet played a key role as well. Sindhu lost around 3.5 kg before the Japan Open and focused on improving her physical condition.
The victory over Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the final brought emotional scenes for Sindhu’s team, who celebrated her return to the top level of badminton.
Sindhu’s Japan Open triumph proved that mental strength, self-belief and the love for the game can help athletes overcome difficult phases and return stronger.
