India's star shuttler PV Sindhu in an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18 has talked at length about her life after marriage. The two-time Olympic medallist has signed a lucrative deal with sportswear brand Puma India and reflected on the value the association with the brand adds to her life and to the sport of badminton. Sindhu also opened up on her personal and professional goals this year, managing and investing money and winning mindset. (Image: Reuters) On life after marriage | "It is very different. But is very nice. Enjoying it. Now it's a different life altogether I would say. It is definitely a milestone, different phase of life, I would say, it has not sunk in yet. I think it's such a wonderful movement, you know, you know, you get married and then you get to spend your life together with that person, I mean throughout your life." Sindhu married Venkata Datta Sai in Udaipur on December 22 last year. Datta Sai, is an executive director at Posidex Technologies. (Image: PV SIndhu X handle) On how PV Sindhu and Venkata Datta Sai meet | "Our families knew each other for quite some time. And it was just like, you know, in some of the functions, it was just like hi, bye, that is it. But I think two years back, it all started when we met on a flight.We started talking and then, yeah, that's how it all started and ended up with the marriage.But I think, yeah, it was good that we got to know each other and we took our own time."(Image: PV SIndhu X handle) On Venkata Datta Sai's involvement in badminton and his support | "I think now he is also part of you where, you know, he's also there with you in the tournaments. Like, he will be with you throughout your journey from now on.think it's very nice because he's also, you know, a sports buff and he is very much interested in every sport.I think me in badminton, I think he's even more interested now. I think it's, I'm grateful to say that, you know, I'm lucky that, you know, he's very, very supportive and very encouraging...he's like, you know, till the time you want to play, I'm just right there supporting you all the time. I think that's definitely a great feeling and what else you need.". (Image: PV SIndhu X handle) On how marriage and having a partner by the side helps an athlete | "You know, there are ups and downs and highs and lows and, you know, the times where you are really at your lows. I think that is when you also have someone to tell what's going on, what's happening.Because a lot of people don't understand what's going on in your mind.But I think when you have someone, when you have your partner right there, you get to explain, you tell them and you just let go everything.I think it's definitely a very good thing where, you know, you get to tell whatever you feel to your partner". (Image: PV SIndhu X handle) On winning Syed Modi International 2024 badminton tournament | "It was very important because I was wanting that win and I wanted that rhythm back because, you know, I had injuries and then I had to come back and then again, I had an injury.So, for an athlete, it's very important to come back stronger and be at their 100%. How much ever you are at your 100%, sometimes you don't get that rhythm. And I think once you're there and for me, it was very important because it was a kind of a confidence that, you know, it got me back that yes, you know, even I can do it. And I think that was the confidence and that too in the home ground, getting that win after, you know, I think after 2022, I've had a couple of good matches. I've played finals but not actually won. (Image: PV SIndhu X handle) On her preparations and goals for the upcoming India Open tournament | " It's a new year and, you know, a new brand association of course with Puma and this is the first tournament I would be entering with. So I think I'm really excited looking forward for it in the home ground again and I hope that, you know, it will give me a lot of boost, a lot of confidence.I'm really looking forward for it." Sindhu alongside star shuttler Lakshya Sen will headline host India's largest-ever contingent of 21 players at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open Super 750 badminton tournament, starting in New Delhi from January 14. On her association with PUMA and how the brand will help in the growth of badminton in India | "I think when you talk about Puma, it's more of the vision that they have and the commitment towards the sport.I think now I think Puma getting into sports, I think from cricket to let's say boxing, archery, I mean, they've been supporting youngsters as well. They've been supporting para athletes as well. So I think the commitment towards the sport and the sporting culture itself shows that, you know, as a brand, you know, how impactful it is on any sports and also getting into badminton. (Image Source: Reuters) On winning mindset and success | "I think it's very important to believe yourself. I think that itself defines who you are, what you are and what you stand for, whether if it's on or off court. I know people might say that, you know, you've been very successful, what else you need in life, but I think to get to there itself was a tough task, but I have been very fortunate to have people around me have been very, very positive and very supportive.So I think for me, success definitely means everything, but I think initially nobody is born with a golden spoon. On overcoming defeats and failures | "I mean, every athlete or every person goes through it. I mean, wins and losses and I think ups and downs, apart and parcel of life.It's important to let go.I know it does take time and it is easy to say, but I think it's not just end of the world when you lose a match. You get to learn a lot more and you need to come back stronger. That's what I believed in because I've had toughest matches where I was nearly there and then I just missed it out. I think I've learned a lot from that and for me it was very important to believe in myself and have that hope that I can do it again. " On a match that is close to her heart | "Tokyo, the second Olympics, Where I lost in the semi-finals and of course it was very, very hard, but I had mixed feelings, mixed emotions where I was feeling bad where if I have to think I lost an opportunity, I lost a chance to go to the finals and on the other side I was thinking, do I have another opportunity to play the bronze medal match I was like confused, I was upset, I didn't know what to do. I just had that, I would say less than 24 hours to decide and come back stronger. I couldn't even sleep that night because I had a match next day in the morning and obviously, I just gave my 200% and I got that bronze back." (Image: Reuters) On her priorities, big goals this year in terms of winning matches, personal goals in 2025 | Marriage and then New Year and then of course new association with Brand Puma and I hope all good things happen from now on. Of course win some tournaments let's say definitely we have World Championships, we have All England and we have a couple of big tournaments happening this year. It's important, the main and important thing is I think I need to stay injury free. That's the most important thing for me right now." On retirement rumours and preparations for the next Olympics | "I mean there's a lot of time for it. But I think as I said it's just every day, one day at a time and I think as I said I need to stay injury free and if I'm injury free and fit that will take me as long as I want to play and definitely I would want to.I'm enjoying it (playing badminton) and if it's my passion then why not. I would be definitely playing for the couple of years." (Image: Reuters) On handling and investing money | "I just leave it up to my family. My job is to only play and prepare and win that is it. What I feel what my agenda is you earn a lot. I mean it's important that you need to spend what you have to and if you really want to you can just do it. You have to be smart in what you invest of course you need to also think about the future that yes is it useful to you or is it not and that way you know that is how you invest and that is how you have to think twice before investing and also when you spend see whatever you like you do spend but for that also you need to think twice that is all that is my mantra. my husband obviously he's into business so he knows a lot about it and he keeps telling me at times that you know should we invest in this or what do you think this is what I feel. So he just discusses with me at times and I get to know a lot more about it." (Image: Reuters)

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