Saina Nehwal has officially drawn the curtain on her competitive career, bringing an end to one of the most transformative journeys in Indian sport. The Olympic medallist confirmed her retirement after a prolonged battle with a chronic knee condition, admitting that her body can no longer cope with the physical demands of elite badminton.
Nehwal last appeared on the professional circuit at the 2023 Singapore Open. She revealed her decision on a podcast, explaining that she had quietly stepped away from the sport two years ago. True to her character, she did not believe a formal retirement announcement was necessary.
“I had stopped playing two years back. I felt I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms,” Saina said. “If you are not capable of playing anymore, that’s it. It’s fine.”
“Can’t Do It Anymore”: Saina Nehwal
The former world No. 1 disclosed that severe degeneration of knee cartilage and arthritis made sustained high-intensity training impossible. Once capable of enduring eight to nine hours of daily training, Saina found herself struggling to continue even one or two hours without pain and swelling.
“Your cartilage has totally degenerated, you have arthritis,” she said, recalling the diagnosis she shared with her parents and coaches. “I just told them, ‘Now probably I can’t do it anymore. It is difficult.’”
The knee injury that altered the trajectory of her career dates back to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she suffered a setback that threatened to end her time in the sport.
By 2024, the physical toll had become undeniable.
A Career That Changed Indian Badminton Forever
In 2012, Nehwal became the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze at the London Games. In 2015, she scaled the summit of world badminton, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the world No. 1 ranking. Earlier, her Indonesia Open triumph in 2009 made her the first Indian woman to win a Super Series title.
Across a glittering career, Saina won multiple international titles, Commonwealth Games medals, and World Championship honours. Yet, her greatest achievement may not be found in statistics alone.
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An End, But Not a Goodbye
Saina Nehwal reiterated that she never felt the need to announce her retirement publicly, believing her absence from competition would speak for itself.
“Slowly people will also realise that Saina is not playing,” she said. “My time was up because I couldn’t push anymore.”
While her competitive journey has ended, her influence remains deeply embedded in Indian badminton. The void she leaves will take time to fill- but the path she created will continue to guide those who follow.
As Indian sport bids farewell to one of its finest athletes, Saina Nehwal exits the game the same way she played it- on her own terms.
