Describing P.V. Sindhu’s triumph in the China Open Super Series premier women’s singles recently as a “great achievement”, badminton legend Prakash Padukone expressed hope that the lanky Hyderabad girl will continue to make waves next year also.

“It’s her first Superseries title and it is definitely a great achievement because after you have done so well, expectations are high and to win the Superseries title coming from there — so close to the (Rio) Olympics (where Sindhu bagged a silver medal) — is a great achievement. I hope she continues doing well in the coming year as well,” Padukone was quoted was saying.

The 21-year-old Sindhu became the third Indian after fellow Hyderabadi Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth, to win the China Open singles crown.

Sindhu had lost to world champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the Rio Olympic Games final after winning the first game and Padukone felt perhaps she was overwhelmed by pressure, which he felt was quite normal as it was her first Olympic Games.

“No one expected her to be in the final. It was probably the pressure, which she was unable to handle. In badminton, the Olympic Games are the most important as they come once in four years. They are the ultimate. It is normal,” he said.

“There are sports psychologists available. They are the best people to suggest what can be done. Or if it’s normal (kind of pressure) some kind of meditation, yoga and breathing exercise will do the trick,” said the 1980 All England men’s singles champion.

Asked about Saina Nehwal, whose 2012 London Games bronze medal winning show was a path breaker for Indian women’s badminton, Padukone was confident that the 26-year-old former world number one will be back to where she was before the leg injury in Rio upset her plans.

“She will come back, it’s just a matter of time. She is not playing in Dubai (Superseries finals). She will get a break. By early 2017, it’s possible for her to be back to where she was before her injury,” the legend said.