New Delhi: Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has extended heartfelt congratulations to Olympic medallist and badminton superstar Saina Nehwal following her official confirmation of retirement from professional badminton. The cricketing icon took to social media platform X to praise Nehwal's monumental contributions to the sport.
Virat Kohli's Tribute to a Badminton Legend
Virat Kohli shared a special message acknowledging Saina Nehwal's remarkable journey in badminton. In his post, Kohli wrote, "Congratulations @NSaina on a legendary career that placed Indian badminton on the world stage. Wishing you a happy and well-deserved retirement. India is proud." This tribute highlights how Nehwal's achievements have elevated the profile of Indian badminton internationally.
Saina Nehwal Confirms Retirement Decision
On Tuesday, Saina Nehwal officially confirmed that she has retired from competitive badminton, revealing that she had actually stopped playing two years ago. In a podcast interview quoted by Olympics.com, Nehwal explained her decision, stating, "I had stopped playing two years back. I actually felt that I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms, so there was no need to announce it."
Physical Challenges That Led to Retirement
The former World No. 1 badminton player disclosed that severe damage to her knee cartilage made it impossible for her to continue training at the elite level. Nehwal described how medical professionals informed her about the degeneration of her cartilage and arthritis, making it physically challenging to sustain the rigorous demands of professional badminton.
"Your cartilage has totally degenerated, you have arthritis... I just told them, 'Now probably I can't do it anymore, it is difficult," she revealed. Nehwal further explained that while top athletes typically train eight to nine hours daily, her knee would give out after just one or two hours on court, causing significant pain and swelling.
"You train eight to nine hours to be the best in the world. Now my knee was giving up in one or two hours. It was swelling, and it became very tough to push after that. So, I thought it was enough. I cannot push it anymore," the badminton star added, emphasizing that her body could no longer handle the physical demands required for world-class competition.
A Glittering Career of Historic Achievements
Saina Nehwal's career is marked by numerous groundbreaking accomplishments that transformed Indian badminton:
- Became junior world champion in 2008
- First Indian woman to reach singles quarterfinals at Beijing Olympics
- First Indian to win a BWF Super Series title at Indonesia Open in 2009
- Created history by winning bronze medal at London 2012 Olympics - first Indian to achieve this in badminton
- Reached World No. 1 ranking in 2015, becoming only the second Indian after Prakash Padukone
- Won silver medal at 2015 BWF World Championships
- Secured bronze at 2017 World Championships and gold at 2018 Commonwealth Games
Nehwal participated in her final competitive match at the Singapore Open in 2023, bringing closure to an illustrious career that spanned over a decade and a half at the highest level of international badminton.
Overcoming Injuries and Maintaining Excellence
Despite facing frequent knee injuries that hampered her performance, particularly after the Rio 2016 Olympics, Saina Nehwal demonstrated remarkable resilience. She bounced back to win significant medals at major tournaments, showcasing her determination and competitive spirit throughout her career.
National Recognition and Lasting Legacy
Beyond her international achievements, Saina Nehwal has been honored with India's highest civilian and sporting awards, including:
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Shri
- Khel Ratna
- Arjuna Award
Her career has inspired multiple generations of Indian badminton players, creating a lasting legacy that extends far beyond her medal tally. Nehwal's journey from a young talent to a world champion has paved the way for future Indian badminton stars and elevated the sport's popularity across the nation.
The retirement announcement marks the end of an era in Indian badminton, but Saina Nehwal's impact on the sport will continue to resonate for years to come. Her achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also established a strong foundation for the growth of badminton as a mainstream sport in the country.
