New Delhi: Fresh from becoming the first Indian woman to win the Korea Open badminton title, teenage star Tanvi Sharma believes a stronger mindset has been the biggest factor behind her rapid rise on the international circuit.
The young shuttler has emerged as one of India’s most promising talents after an impressive breakthrough season. But despite the growing attention, Tanvi says her focus has shifted away from worrying about opponents and results. Instead, she is concentrating on her own strengths and the elements of her game that she can control.
“The biggest change is that I believe in myself much more now. Earlier, I used to think a lot about the opponent and the result, but now I focus more on my own game and what I can control. I’ve started believing that I belong at this level,” Tanvi said.
Her Korea Open triumph came after another significant breakthrough at the Taipei Open, where she defeated experienced players to claim her maiden senior title. For Tanvi, that victory was an important turning point that strengthened her belief that she could compete against established names on the international circuit.
“Winning the Taipei Open was a very important moment for me. Playing against strong senior players and winning the tournament gave me a lot of confidence. It made me realise that I can compete with these players and that I’m ready to take the next step,” she said.
Inspired by Indian Badminton’s Champions
Tanvi has grown up watching the achievements of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, two players who helped raise the profile of women’s badminton in India. Their careers have provided inspiration for a new generation, including Tanvi.
However, the teenager is keen to avoid being defined merely by comparisons with her predecessors. She wants to establish an identity based on her own achievements and playing style.
“I’m really inspired by what Saina didi and Sindhu didi have achieved for Indian badminton. Of course, it would be a big responsibility to carry that legacy, but I also want to create my own identity. I want people to know me for my own style, my own journey and my own achievements,” she said.
Learning From Experienced Opponents
Regular competition against senior international players has also taught Tanvi valuable lessons about the demands of elite badminton. According to the teenager, technical ability alone is not enough to succeed consistently at the highest level.
“The biggest lesson is that talent is not enough at this level. You need patience, consistency and the ability to stay calm under pressure,” she said.
Tanvi has also learned the importance of remaining composed when momentum changes during a match. Experienced opponents, she noted, can turn a contest around within a few points, making concentration and discipline crucial.
“I’ve learned to stay focused point by point and not get carried away by the score,” she added.
Focused on the Next Step
Despite collecting major titles at a young age, Tanvi remains conscious of the areas in which she needs to improve. She wants to become stronger physically, more consistent in her performances and sharper in her tactical approach.
“I think there are still many areas I need to improve, especially consistency and physical strength. I also want to become better tactically and improve my ability to control rallies against the very top players,” she said.
The teenager knows that establishing herself among the world’s leading players will require sustained hard work rather than a handful of breakthrough performances.
“I know it will take time, but I’m ready to keep working and improving every day,” she added.
With the Taipei Open and Korea Open titles marking a remarkable start to her senior career, Tanvi Sharma has already begun attracting attention as one of India’s brightest young badminton prospects.
Her journey may have been inspired by the achievements of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, but her ambition is distinctly personal — to build a legacy defined not by comparison, but by her own name, style and achievements.
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