PV Sindhu, who faced a narrow defeat against Carlina Marin at the Rio 2016 Olympics gold medal match, took to social media to express her deep admiration and support for the Spanish player after the star shuttler suffered a devastating knee injury, forcing her to forfeit mid-way in her women’s singles semifinal match of the Paris Olympics against He Bingjiao of China.
“To one of my greatest rivals and dearest friends on the tour, Carolina Marin, I am sending all the positive energy in the world your way. You were playing a phenomenal match, and I was deeply rooting for you!” Sindhu wrote on Instagram post.
“Deep down, I believe there was no player on tour I hated playing against more than you. Your willpower, sheer determination, and uncanny ability to put players under pressure are unmatched. Knowing you and your willpower, it’s only a matter of time, buddy! Just know I will always be your biggest supporter,” she concluded.
ALSO WATCH | Carolina Marin Breaks Into Tears After ACL Injury Forces Her to Withdraw from Semi-final
Marin, who had taken the first game 21-14 and led 10-6 in the second game, faced a devastating blow when a fall aggravated her knee injury. The impairment forced the three-time world champion to retire after losing another two points.
Coaches and medical staff rushed to help her and she tried to continue with her knee heavily strapped but collapsed again in tears minutes later, punching the ground in frustration.
She stayed there for a couple of minutes before rising, hugging her opponent and tearfully limping off court, refusing a wheelchair that was brought to her.
Her coach, Fernando Rivas, told reporters that he had “no words to describe what happened”.
“Carolina knows that at an Olympic Games, you win or you lose,” he said. “But not this way.”
Marin had previously torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee ahead of the Tokyo Games and had to bow out before she could defend her title.
“She was in pain, it’s a sensation that she already knew,” said Rivas, suggesting she may have suffered the same serious injury again.
It wasn’t Marin’s first Olympic heartbreak. The Rio gold medalist had to withdraw from the Tokyo Games due to a torn knee ligament, a painful decision announced just two months before the event.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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