PV Sindhu Sees a Spark in Teenager Tanvi Sharma During Delhi Training
Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu has identified a potential successor in 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma. This follows intensive training sessions together in New Delhi. Sindhu expressed strong confidence in the young player's future.
Mentorship After India Open Defeats
Both players experienced first-round exits at the India Open this week. Sindhu lost just minutes before Tanvi faced world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi. Despite Tanvi's defeat, her performance impressed many observers. She pushed the Chinese star hard, winning one game and nearly taking another.
Since Wednesday's matches, Sindhu has taken Tanvi under her wing. They have trained together for three consecutive days at the Constitution Club of India courts.
Sindhu's Clear Endorsement
"For sure, she has the potential to be the one after me," Sindhu told The Indian Express. The senior player emphasized Tanvi's evident talent and work ethic.
"Definitely, she has the talent if she keeps training really hard and gets guided the right way," Sindhu added. The training concluded with a fun 3-versus-3 session involving four other sparring partners. Coach Irwansyah supervised the activities.
Analyzing Tanvi's Game
Sindhu has closely watched Tanvi's development. She noted the teenager's powerful smashes and excellent court movement. The all-round skills particularly stood out for a player of her age.
"She is actually quite powerful. I have seen her smashes which are very effective," Sindhu explained. "She also moves really well on the court. She has an all-round game and her skills are already quite good for a 17-year-old."
Sindhu recalled observing Tanvi's training in Guwahati last year. She also mentioned Tanvi's silver medal performance at the Junior World Championships.
Tanvi's Dream Week
For the young player from Hoshiarpur, this week has been extraordinary. She received a last-minute entry into her first Super 750 event. Then she played alongside her idol at the India Open. Finally, she gained several days of personal mentorship.
"It's been a great privilege for me to play with Didi for the last couple of days," Tanvi said, unable to hide her excitement. "It's been the perfect preparation for Indonesia Masters next week."
Tanvi described the surreal moment of walking onto the court beside Sindhu. "Ek sapna hota hai na?" she remarked, comparing it to a dream come true.
Learning From the Best
The teenager hopes to absorb several aspects of Sindhu's game. She specifically mentioned wanting to learn Sindhu's discipline, on-court attitude, and aggressive style. Tanvi also wants to incorporate the senior player's backcourt smashes and slicing techniques.
This training arrangement materialized when Tanvi's coach Park Tae Sang had to return to Guwahati. He requested Sindhu to train with his former ward. A quick conversation with coach Irwansyah finalized the plan.
Simple Yet Powerful Advice
Sindhu offered straightforward guidance to her young protégé. She emphasized the importance of continued hard work and learning from mistakes.
"Just keep working hard, as she is now," Sindhu advised. "It can be frustrating sometimes to travel and lose early at tournaments. But she needs to understand that the next phase is a stepping stone for her."
The former world champion appreciated Tanvi's mature perspective after losing to Wang Zhiyi. Tanvi had expressed happiness at winning a set against the world No. 2 while acknowledging areas for improvement like endurance.
Reflecting on Missed Opportunities
Tanvi has already begun analyzing her performance critically. She repeatedly watched the crucial 20-19 point she missed against Wang Zhiyi.
"Oh my God, that shouldn't have happened," Tanvi admitted. "If I won the first set, the result might have been different. That match, when the rallies were going on, I should have shown more patience."
A Longtime Admirer
The young player fondly remembers watching Sindhu's historic matches. She recalled the Rio 2016 semifinals and finals vividly. Tanvi was just 11 or 12 years old when she watched Sindhu beat Akane Yamaguchi at the Tokyo Olympics.
"I was at Gopichand Academy. So we were sitting and watching together, and I cheered like crazy," Tanvi said. "I remember that match a lot."
When asked if she had told Sindhu about being her inspiration, Tanvi blushed. She admitted she hadn't expressed it directly yet. Sitting beside her, Sindhu simply nodded with a knowing smile. The message had been received.
Written by Vinayakk Mohanarangan
New Delhi | January 17, 2026
