NEW DELHI, Jan. 14 -- After shooting a promotional video for India Open at a hotel here, PV Sindhu settled into a chair with a grin. The happiness was reminiscent of the days when the 29-year-old was starting out. Afterall, it is not just a New Year and new season for the former world champion, but also a new journey, having tied the knot last month.

Though her form wasn't anywhere near her peak level last year, Sindhu still managed to win her first title since the Commonwealth Games in August 2022 when she clinched the Syed Modi India International crown in Lucknow in December.

"It was very important to have that win. It gave me a big boost. It had been quite a while since I had won a title (28 months).

"I had been playing quarters, sem...