TOKYO: Shattered after going down in the Olympics women's singles final, world number one badminton player Tai Tzu Ying has revealed that Indian ace PV Sindhu's words of encouragement after the medal ceremony left her in tears.
Competing in her third Olympics, Tai Tzu finally stood atop the podium, finishing with a silver medal after going down to Chen Yu Fei of China 18-21, 21-19, 18-21 in the final here on Sunday.
Five years ago at the Rio Olympics, Sindhu had emerged second best as she went down to Carolina Marin of Spain in a hard-fought three-game loss and the Indian knew exactly how the world no.1 shuttler was feeling.
"After the match, I was satisfied with my performance. Later Sindhu ran over and hugged me, held my face, and told me: I know you're uncomfortable and you've been very good, but today isn't your day. Then she held me in her arms and said she knows all about it," Tai Tzu wrote on her Instagram account.
"That sincere encouragement, made me cry. I was really sad because I tried really hard. Thank you again for your support and encouragement. Thank you all for walking with me till now," she added.
On Saturday, Tai Tzu had defeated Sindhu, the Rio Olympic silver-medallist and the reigning world champion, 21-18 21-12 in the semifinals, ending the Indian's hopes of securing the country's first-ever gold medal in badminton.
Sindhu later won the bronze medal play off against world no.9 He Bing Jiao of China to become the first Indian woman to win two medals at the Games.
1/7:Sindhu first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals
<p>PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals, securing a bronze after a straight-game win over world no. 9 He Bing Jiao of China in the badminton women's singles event at Tokyo Olympics. (PTI Photo)</p>
2/7:Sindhu is the reigning World champion
<p>Sindhu is also the reigning world champion after winning the 2019 World Championships title, as the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She also has four more medals from the prestigious World Championships - two silver and two bronze (silver in 2017 & 2018, bronze in 2013 & 2014). (AFP Photo)</p>
3/7:Silver-lining for Sindhu at 2018 Asian Games
<p>Sindhu, who is one of the most accomplished athletes from India, having won medals at almost all the major badminton tournaments, won an individual silver at the 2018 Asian Games four years after winning a Team Bronze at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. (AFP Photo)</p>
4/7:Sindhu clinched 2018 BWF World Tour Finals title
<p>Sindhu, who had achieved a career high world ranking of 2 in April 2007, also clinched the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals title in the year 2018. (BWF Photo)</p>
5/7:Sindhu won silver in 2018 Commonwealth Games
<p>Sindhu, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, began playing badminton at the age of 8, had a great 2018 as she also got a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games after losing to compatriot Saina Nehwal in the final. (PTI Photo)</p>
6/7:Sindhu won 2017 World Championship silver
<p>Sindhu, who is also only the second woman after former Chinese player Zhang Ning to win five or more medals at the World Championships, had to settle for silver at the 2017 World Championship. (AFP Photo)</p>
7/7:Sindhu won an unprecedented silver in 2016 Rio Olympics
<p>Sindhu, who won an unprecedented silver at the 2016 Rio Games in what was her maiden Olympics appearance, scripted history as she became the first female athlete from India to win an Olympic silver medal. In the 2016 Olympic final, Sindhu lost to Spain's Carolina Marin. (AFP Photo)</p>The 27-year-old Tai Tzu penned down an emotional note, thanking everyone who has supported her.
"The third time I stepped on the stage of this dream, I finally made it to the finals, but I couldn't stand on the highest podium. There is always a little regret, but imperfection always exist, only to be motivated to pursue better results."
"Maybe I won't have another chance to participate in the Olympics, but I've achieved this goal, just not so perfect.
"I just want to tell myself: Dai Ji-hing, you're great! Thank you to all of you who have supported me, the results are always brutal and only acceptable but I try my best."
