Badminton trailblazer Saina Nehwal confirms retirement

India’s badminton trailblazer Saina Nehwal has officially drawn the curtain on her competitive career at the age of 35, closing a remarkable chapter in Indian sport. The London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist confirmed that persistent knee problems have made it impossible for her to continue at the highest level.

Although Saina last appeared on the professional circuit at the 2023 Singapore Open, she had been away from competition for nearly two years. She explained that her decision did not come suddenly, but was a natural outcome of her body no longer coping with the rigours of elite badminton.

“I stopped playing almost two years ago,” Saina said, adding that she never felt the need to formally announce her retirement. “I came into the sport on my own terms and I felt I left it the same way. When your body doesn’t allow you to play anymore, you accept it.”

The former world number one revealed that medical examinations showed severe damage to her knee. According to doctors, the cartilage in her knee had completely worn out and arthritis had set in, leaving her unable to endure intense training sessions. She shared that this diagnosis was conveyed clearly to her family and coaches, making it evident that a return to top-level competition was no longer realistic.

Saina admitted that the physical decline was stark. While peak performance once demanded eight to nine hours of daily training, her knee would now give way within a couple of hours, swelling and limiting movement. “It became very tough to push beyond that,” she said. “I realised my time was up because I just couldn’t push like before.”

One of India’s most influential athletes, Saina Nehwal’s career inspired countless youngsters to take up badminton and helped elevate the sport’s profile in the country. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a pioneer and champion of Indian badminton remains firmly intact.