I'm definitely going to play for next couple of years: Sindhu

Lucknow, Dec 1: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu on Sunday said she is "definitely" going to play for the next couple of years even as the 2028 Los Angeles Games remains at the back of her mind.

Sindhu expressed relief after ending a long title drought with her triumph in the Syed Modi International badminton tournament here and hoped the result would mark the beginning of another successful phase in an illustrious career.

The 29-year-old former world champion, in the final stretch of her career, emphasized the need to stay injury-free.

"This (win) will definitely give me a lot of confidence. Being 29 is an advantage in many ways because I have a lot of experience. Being smart and experienced is key, and I'm definitely going to play for the next couple of years," Sindhu told reporters.

"My main goal is to stay injury-free, which is very, very important. Los Angeles (Olympics) is still too far away. I will definitely play, but the main thing is staying injury-free and enjoying the sport. If I stay fit, then why not?"

Sindhu defeated China's world number 119 Wu Luo Yu 21-14, 21-16 in the final to lift the women's singles title for the third time in the tournament, having previously won in 2017 and 2022.

"I'm very happy that I'm finishing off with a win. Now it's time to just go back, relax, and start again from January. I hope this is a comeback, and I'm looking forward to many more victories," she told reporters.

"I'll be playing the upcoming tournaments in Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Obviously, we'll have to pick and choose tournaments because I'll have to be smart enough to decide what to play and what not. I need to be much smarter in terms of that."

Sindhu's last title came at the Singapore Open in July 2022. The world number 18 also reached the Malaysia Masters Super 500 final earlier this year but faced a pre-quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympics.

"Sometimes I was really close yet so far away. I had good matches in the past, but they didn't turn into wins. I came back, fought harder, and it was important for me to get this win. Yes, I am relieved. I mean, it's the end of the year, and finishing off with a win makes me really grateful," she said.

Lakshya Sen, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, demolished Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh 21-6, 21-7 in the men's singles final, displaying complete command over the match.

"I am really happy with the way I had prepared and how I played the match. I hope to do well in the tournaments next year. I have some time now till the new season, which will allow me to train and focus on the upcoming events," Lakshya said.