Saina Nehwal Announces Retirement, Recalls Historic Olympic Journey
An emotional Saina Nehwal officially announced her retirement from professional badminton on Monday, bringing the curtain down on one of India's most celebrated sporting careers. The former world number two, who has been battling a chronic knee condition for years, made the difficult decision after medical advice indicated she could no longer compete at the highest level.
Emotional Farewell to a Glorious Career
"Super Saina, Saina vs China, Badminton Queen — these names will always stay with me. I have received so much love," said Nehwal, her eyes welling up with tears as she reflected on her remarkable journey. "Thank you for everything," she added softly, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support she received throughout her career.
The 34-year-old shuttler, who last competed at the Singapore Open in 2023, revealed that her body had finally given up after years of pushing through pain. "When your body gives up and no longer allows you to play, you have no option but to stop. At the highest level, you can't keep pushing if your body isn't okay," she explained in an exclusive interview.
The Knee Injury That Ended a Career
Nehwal's career was significantly impacted by a knee injury she suffered during the Rio 2016 Olympics. Despite showing remarkable resilience by making a strong comeback in 2017 and winning multiple medals thereafter, the degeneration in her knee cartilage proved insurmountable.
"I met the doctor, and he told me it would be very difficult to compete at that level after the degeneration in my knee — the cartilage is completely gone," she revealed. "When you have played at the top for so many years and your body finally gives up, it is tough. But that's the life of a sportsperson."
Reliving the Unforgettable 2012 Olympic Glory
As she bids farewell to the sport, Nehwal says she is most grateful for her historic bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics — India's first-ever Olympic medal in badminton. "What I achieved felt almost impossible. Before that, I never imagined we could even beat Chinese players or teams like Korea and Japan," she recalled.
The moment she stood on the podium at Wembley Arena remains etched in her memory. "When I was standing on the podium alongside two Chinese players, I could sense that they were expecting another Chinese player to be there instead of me," she said with a laugh. "They were looking at me. It felt like they were wondering how I had ended up on that podium."
Nehwal described the emotional moment when the Indian flag went up and the national anthem played. "That moment was incredibly special. Even today, I can feel it as if it happened yesterday. Every athlete dreams of winning an Olympic medal, and I feel fortunate to have achieved it," she said.
Overcoming Challenges Without Role Models
Nehwal emphasized that she had no Indian badminton role models to look up to when she began her journey. "I didn't have any role models — there was no Saina or Sindhu around when I started, no one I could look up to and say it was possible," she said.
She credited her coach from Patiala, Govardhan sir, and her mother for making her believe she could become an Olympic medalist. Her husband, Parupalli Kashyap, also played a crucial role. "Kashyap has also played a huge role since childhood. He traveled with me for so many years and always made me believe, especially during tough times, that I was capable," she acknowledged.
Memorable Career Achievements
Nehwal's illustrious career includes numerous achievements:
- Bronze medal at 2012 London Olympics (first Indian in badminton)
- Gold medal at 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast
- Bronze medal at 2017 World Championships
- Bronze medal at 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang
- Bronze medal at 2018 Asian Championships in Wuhan
- Reached world number two ranking
Future of Indian Badminton and Olympic Dreams
Despite her retirement, Nehwal remains optimistic about India's badminton future. "It's definitely possible — 100 percent possible," she said when asked about India winning an Olympic gold in badminton. "It could happen at the 2028 Olympics or the 2032 Olympics."
She highlighted current players who could achieve this dream:
- Men's doubles pairs with gold medal potential
- Lakshya Sen's promising career
- PV Sindhu's continued excellence
"Overall, we have strong chances of winning multiple gold medals across different sports," she added, mentioning shooting and cricket's inclusion in the Olympics.
Gratitude and Legacy
Nehwal signed off by thanking her fans who have supported her throughout her journey. "They're still very upset. They keep writing to me, and honestly, I still can't believe it myself," she said. "But it's their love that makes me happy. I'll always be there in their memories, and I hope many young girls look up to me."
She expressed hope for India's sporting future: "I truly believe that in the future we will have many more champions winning Olympic medals. That is a very clear dream for Indian sport — and it will remain my dream too, that we continue to grow across all sports and achieve great heights."
As Saina Nehwal transitions from player to inspiration, her legacy as India's badminton trailblazer remains secure — a testament to what determination, resilience, and belief can achieve even without precedent.
