Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has safely returned to Bengaluru after being due to flight suspensions triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia.
The two-time Olympic medallist was en route to Birmingham for the prestigious All England Open, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, when her travel plans were disrupted. Sindhu had a layover in Dubai, where she was stuck at the airport amid widespread flight cancellations and airspace restrictions linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Confirming her safe return, Sindhu shared a message on social media expressing relief and gratitude. “Back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back home,” she wrote.
She thanked the ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff and immigration officials for their support during the difficult period. “A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and every single person who stepped up and took such good care of us during a very difficult time. The empathy and professionalism meant more than words can say. For now, it’s time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps,” she posted.
Earlier, Sindhu had described the situation at the airport as “extremely tense,” revealing that there were “sounds of interceptions and explosions” close to where she and her team were sheltering, adding to the anxiety and uncertainty.
As a result of the travel disruption, Sindhu was forced to miss the All England Open, where she was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round. However, some other players managed to reach Birmingham without facing similar travel hurdles.
The episode underscores the ripple effects of the ongoing geopolitical crisis on international travel and sporting schedules, impacting athletes and teams across regions.