PV Sindhu ruled out of BWF World Tour Finals 2022 due to injury

India has suffered a major setback in the BWF World Tour Finals 2022, one of the main tournaments of badminton. India's star badminton player PV Sindhu has decided to withdraw her name from this tournament due to an ankle injury.

Also read: BWF World Rankings: PV Sindhu returns to the top 5 for the first time since 2019

In fact, Sindhu had to be ruled out of this tournament starting in China from December 14 due to injury. Sindhu's exit from the tournament is a big blow to Indian hopes. Sindhu suffered the injury during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in August. The two-time Olympic medalist is yet to fully recover from the injury.

The BWF World Tour Finals 2022 will start from December 14 in Guangzhou, China. Sindhu's father PV Ramana elaborated on the injury. He told the news agency PTI "Her doctor has advised her to take some more time so that she recovers completely ahead of the new season,"

PV Ramana further said, "She has discussed the pros and cons, including the many restrictions in Guangzhou. Keeping the new season in mind, she has taken this decision,"

Although, Sindhu is the women's singles champion of the 2018 World Tour Finals. However, Sindhu is preparing for the Asian Games next year. This will be followed by the Paris Olympics in 2024. Sindhu will find it tough to play around 22 tournaments, so she is taking extra care. Sindhu's withdrawal means HS Prannoy is now India's only representative in this tournament.

While Prannoy is third in the Race to Guangzhou rankings, Kidambi Srikanth also has a chance if he does well in the Australian Open Super 300 starting in Sydney on Tuesday. Lakshya Sen also pulled out of the Australia tournament due to a throat infection. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Guangzhou, forcing the authorities to impose stricter restrictions.

Also read: BWF World Rankings: Lakshya Sen becomes his career-best world's number sixth badminton player

"She will need to be at her best for next year, which will have the Asian Games and also the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification. Playing about 22 tournaments will be tough, so she is taking extra care," Ramana added. Ramana, however, assured that PV Sindhu has already started training and will be back on the court by January next year.