PV Sindhu opened her 2025 BWF World Championships campaign with a commanding 21-7, 21-11 victory over Ireland's Sophia Noble (ranked 141st) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, and wasted no time in lauding the organisers for delivering a well-run home event. The two-time World Championships medallist said the attention to detail from the Badminton Association of India (BAI), volunteers, support staff, and the government had made her experience at the home tournament particularly memorable.

Sindhu's Praise for Organisation

'The conditions, whatever is said and done, the volunteers, the support staff, the government, and of course, the Badminton Association of India have put in a lot of effort,' the 2019 BWF World Championship winner said after her match. She highlighted that every logistical detail — from water bottles and washrooms to changing rooms and court conditions — had been handled with care. 'There are people everywhere to tell us where to go, how to go. Hats off to the volunteers and of course, BAI for doing a great job,' she added.

Court Conditions and Home Crowd Boost

Sindhu, who was competing in her 10th World Championships, said the court conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium impressed her. 'The conditions are pretty good, is what I feel. I really liked it,' she said, noting that the opening match gave her a useful read on the playing surface and scheduling. The home crowd added a further emotional dimension. 'I could see a lot of people cheering and supporting me. I think that gave me a lot of confidence,' she said, describing the atmosphere as a significant morale lift irrespective of the opponent's ranking.

Match Breakdown: A Controlled Performance

On court, Sindhu was dominant from the outset, racing to an 8-0 lead in the opening game before closing it out 21-7. Noble showed more resistance in the second, keeping the deficit to three points at the interval. After the break, however, Sindhu shifted gears — winning 10 of the next 13 points to seal the match in 29 minutes. The 31-year-old acknowledged that first-match nerves can affect even seasoned campaigners but said she settled quickly. 'I started with a big lead, even though I was giving two, three points here and there, but I still could maintain that lead. It was a good start for me,' she said.

One Match at a Time: Sindhu's Approach

Despite being one of the leading medal contenders — and chasing what would be her sixth World Championships medal — Sindhu was measured about expectations. 'Right now, the medal is quite far away. For me, it's just one match at a time. I have to give 100% in every match,' she said. She next faces Canada's Wen Yu Zhang, ranked World No. 49, in the Round of 32. That contest will test Sindhu against a more competitive opponent and offer a clearer picture of her form heading into the knockout stages.