Sindhu questions China Open scheduling with tongue-in-cheek remark after early exit

PV Sindhu slammed the China Open scheduling after crashing out in the second round on Thursday, questioning the disparity in recovery time between players following her hard-fought defeat to home favourite and world No. 4 Chen Yufei.

The Indian badminton star pointed out that she had just 16 hours between matches. In contrast, Chen enjoyed more than a day's rest before their contest, prompting Sindhu to question the fairness of the scheduling.

Taking to X after the defeat, the double Olympic medalist wrote: "About 16 hours for me between matches. 24+ hours for my dear friend Chen tomorrow after having a full day off before facing me today."

She followed up with another pointed remark, adding: "Lovely to see recovery being given the importance it deserves. Funny how schedules have a way of taking care of recovery. I only wish they took care of everyone the same way."

Sindhu squandered an early advantage to bow out of the China Open with a gruelling 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 defeat in a contest that lasted nearly one and a half hours. The 30-year-old from Hyderabad had arrived in China on the back of her Japan Open triumph, which ended a lengthy title drought.

That the contest was going to be closely fought was evident from the opening game. Sindhu trailed 7-13 before producing a spirited comeback to level the scores at 16-16. She then reeled off five successive points to pocket the opening game and seize the early advantage.

Chen responded strongly in the second game. Sindhu looked set for victory after opening up a 20-16 lead and earning four match points. However, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist won six consecutive points to take the game 22-20 and force a decider.

The deciding game was equally competitive. The scores were locked at 17-17 before Chen raised her level at the crucial moment, winning four of the final five points to complete the comeback and seal victory in front of the home crowd.

The scheduling became a major talking point after the match. Sindhu had less than a day's turnaround following her opening-round win, leaving her with only 16 hours to recover and prepare for the physically demanding clash against Chen.

The Chinese star, meanwhile, had more than 24 hours between her matches after receiving a full day off before facing Sindhu. Chen will also head into her quarter-final against Thailand's seventh seed Ratchanok Intanon with another full day's break.

PV Sindhu slammed the China Open scheduling after crashing out in the second round on Thursday, questioning the disparity in recovery time between players following her hard-fought defeat to home favourite and world No. 4 Chen Yufei.

The Indian badminton star pointed out that she had just 16 hours between matches. In contrast, Chen enjoyed more than a day's rest before their contest, prompting Sindhu to question the fairness of the scheduling.

Taking to X after the defeat, the double Olympic medalist wrote: "About 16 hours for me between matches. 24+ hours for my dear friend Chen tomorrow after having a full day off before facing me today."

She followed up with another pointed remark, adding: "Lovely to see recovery being given the importance it deserves. Funny how schedules have a way of taking care of recovery. I only wish they took care of everyone the same way."

Sindhu squandered an early advantage to bow out of the China Open with a gruelling 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 defeat in a contest that lasted nearly one and a half hours. The 30-year-old from Hyderabad had arrived in China on the back of her Japan Open triumph, which ended a lengthy title drought.

That the contest was going to be closely fought was evident from the opening game. Sindhu trailed 7-13 before producing a spirited comeback to level the scores at 16-16. She then reeled off five successive points to pocket the opening game and seize the early advantage.

Chen responded strongly in the second game. Sindhu looked set for victory after opening up a 20-16 lead and earning four match points. However, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist won six consecutive points to take the game 22-20 and force a decider.

The deciding game was equally competitive. The scores were locked at 17-17 before Chen raised her level at the crucial moment, winning four of the final five points to complete the comeback and seal victory in front of the home crowd.

The scheduling became a major talking point after the match. Sindhu had less than a day's turnaround following her opening-round win, leaving her with only 16 hours to recover and prepare for the physically demanding clash against Chen.

The Chinese star, meanwhile, had more than 24 hours between her matches after receiving a full day off before facing Sindhu. Chen will also head into her quarter-final against Thailand's seventh seed Ratchanok Intanon with another full day's break.