HS Prannoy gets top seeding at Syed Modi International as PV Sindhu opts out
In the men's singles category at the Syed Modi International 2023, HS Prannoy has secured the top billing. The Super 300 tournament is scheduled to take place in Lucknow from November 29 to December 3.
Prannoy, who recently returned to action at the Japan Masters after a back injury, withdrew from the Denmark and French Opens last month.
The eighth-ranked Prannoy will begin his Japan Masters campaign, a Super 500 event, against World No. 18 Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong on November 15.
The 31-year-old Prannoy, with his back heavily taped, made history by winning India's first medal in men's singles in 41 years at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September.
PV Sindhu opts out of Syed Modi International; to make a return in 2024
Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu has earlier withdrawn from the upcoming Syed Modi International 2023 due to a recent injury setback. The Super 300 tournament will miss the defending women's singles champion.
Sindhu, who clinched the title at the prestigious Indian tournament last year, suffered a left knee injury during the recent French Open. The World No. 11 took a medical timeout during her second-round match against Supanida Katethong of Thailand and eventually retired from the tie.
Sindhu later confirmed a niggle in her left knee, saying that the doctors have advised her to take a few weeks of rest before resuming training.
This setback follows Sindhu's recovery from a stress fracture suffered during the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2023, her form took a hit, with seven first-round exits in various tournaments. Notably, she exited the BWF World Championships in the second round and bowed out of the Hangzhou Asian Games in the quarter-finals.
Despite making back-to-back semifinal appearances in the Arctic Open and the Denmark Open, Sindhu's 2023 season was cut short by her recent injury setback. The 28-year-old shuttler now looks ahead to the 2024 season, where she will focus on qualification for the Paris Olympics.