Coach Irwansyah on PV Sindhu: ‘Want Her to Play with More Speed and Power, Believe She Can Improve Even at 29’

Over the years, PV Sindhu has had multiple coaches guiding her career, and the India Open 2025 in New Delhi was no exception. Present at the tournament were Kim Ji Hyun, who played a key role in Sindhu’s World Championship gold, and Mulyo Handoyo, who contributed to the success of India’s singles players in 2017. However, all eyes were on Irwansyah, the latest coach in Sindhu’s corner.

The Indonesian coach, who previously helped develop players like Anthony Ginting and Jonatan Christie, has now transitioned to coaching women’s singles in India, with Sindhu being a primary focus. After a challenging 2024 season, Irwansyah aims to help Sindhu regain her top form. In her India Open quarterfinal run, where she narrowly lost to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Sindhu displayed promising improvements in movement and attack variations.

Aiming for a Faster, More Aggressive Sindhu

Speaking about his goals, Irwansyah expressed confidence in Sindhu’sCoach Irwansyah on PV Sindhu: ‘Want Her to Play with More Speed and Power, Believe She Can Improve Even at 29’

“My objective in coming to India was to elevate Sindhu and the other players I coach to a high level. I believe in her ability, and she does too. We’ve only been working together for less than a week, but I want to transform her game. She is already capable, but change takes time. In this match, she showed glimpses of what I want her to do.”

Sindhu, ahead of the tournament, had reaffirmed her hunger for success, targeting major events like the All England Open and World Championships. Irwansyah’s vision aligns with her attacking style of play.

“I don’t want to slow her down—I want her to play with more speed and power. She is naturally an attacking player, and she needs to be even more aggressive.”

Incorporating Men’s Singles Elements into Sindhu’s Game

With a background in coaching men’s singles, Irwansyah hopes to integrate some of those principles into Sindhu’s game.

“It won’t be easy to mold her into playing like a men’s singles player, but that is the direction I want to take. Speed and power are essential for every player, even in women’s singles. Sindhu is extremely disciplined and hardworking, so I believe she can achieve this. Our goal is to put these plans into action for the All England and other major tournaments.”

Sindhu acknowledged the adjustments required with each coaching change but viewed them as learning experiences.

“I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, but rather, different. I have gained something from each coach. With Irwansyah, the focus is on speed and movement. It’s crucial to be smart and injury-free. A coach plays a key role in managing training loads and knowing what an athlete needs.”

Praise from Former Players and Coaches

Jonatan Christie, who rose to world No. 2 under Irwansyah’s guidance, praised his coaching approach.

“He is a great coach, both on and off the court. He genuinely cares for his players. It’s a positive development for Indian badminton that he is here. Personally, he helped me understand how to deal with losses and never give up.”

Former Indian player Trupti Murgunde highlighted Sindhu’s dedication, recalling how she continued training even during her wedding preparations.

“She was serious about returning to the tour quickly. Even when I told her to enjoy her wedding, she said, ‘I have a tournament coming up soon!’ That speaks volumes about her focus and discipline.”

Murgunde also noted the positive start to 2025, emphasizing Sindhu’s sharp movement and presence on court.

“In her second-round match, more than the win, I loved how she moved and approached the game. If she had played that way from the start against Tunjung, I believe she could have won.”

Age No Barrier for Improvement

At 29, Sindhu is looking to push for a late-career resurgence. While age can be a challenge in a physically demanding sport like badminton, Irwansyah remains optimistic.

“Even at 29, I believe Sindhu can improve. We have a strong team supporting her with nutrition, sleep management, and fitness tracking. Age alone doesn’t matter—discipline and a good support system are key, and Sindhu has both.”

As Sindhu embarks on this new phase with Irwansyah, the focus remains on speed, power, and a more aggressive style of play, with the All England Open and World Championships firmly in sight.