PV Sindhu has an epic reaction to make Forbes list of top 10 highest paid female athletes

PV Sindhu earns more than World No. 1 tennis star, seventh on Forbes list of highest paid female athletes

There were no surprises to see Serena Williams top the list of the highest paid female athlete, according to the latest Forbes list released earlier this week.

However, it was a proud moment for India as the athlete on No. 7 slot was none other than badminton sensation of India, PV Sindhu.

According to media reports, Sindhu’s on-court winnings last year totalled $500,000 (£387,000) but endorsements saw Sindhu bring in an extra $8m (£6.2m) in sponsorship in sports-mad India. That works out as a weekly income of $163,000 (£126,000).

Sindhu right now is representing India at the ongoing Asian Games at Jakarta, Indonesia.

After her hard-fought first round in women’s singles category, Sindhu reacted to the Forbes news saying, “Well it feels good and nice and happy about it. When I saw the news then it was like, okay, I am one of them.”

“The money always goes to the bank so not much account on that, but I think just to be in that list with some top names is reason enough to smile,” she added.

According to the list, Sindhu earns more than Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) World No. 1 Simona Halep, as of August 22, who is also going to be the top seed for the upcoming 2018 US Open.

Earlier on Thursday, Sindhu had to dig deep to down a fighting Vu Thi Trang of Vietnam but Saina Nehwal did not break any sweat as India' top two shuttlers advanced to the women's singles second round at the 18th Asian Games.  

World Championship silver medallist Sindhu faced stiff resistance from world number 52 Trang before prevailing 21-10 12-21 23-21 in a tough opening round which lasted 58 minutes.

Speaking after the hard-fought opening round, Sindhu said, "I did not take it easy but that was a very good match. It was anybody's game, each point was important. I was making too many errors. She was not leaving any shuttle. It was not allowing me to attack. There was drift here and there but we have to manage.

I was playing her for the first time but I never thought it will be an easy match. She did well." Talking about her second match point at 21-20 when her smash was called out, Sindhu said the line judge's call could have cost her the match.”