Sachin Tendulkar Honors Saina Nehwal: 'You Carried Indian Badminton to World Stage'
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has paid a moving tribute to badminton star Saina Nehwal following her retirement announcement earlier this week. Tendulkar praised Nehwal for her monumental contributions to Indian sports, highlighting how she transformed the landscape of badminton in the country.
A Heartfelt Tribute from One Legend to Another
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Tendulkar expressed deep admiration for Nehwal's career achievements and her enduring legacy. 'Dear Saina, your career is proof that greatness is built one day at a time, with patience, courage, and consistency,' Tendulkar wrote. He emphasized that Nehwal's journey demonstrated how belief, when combined with rigorous preparation, can fundamentally alter the trajectory of a sport.
'You carried Indian badminton to the world stage and showed that belief, when matched with preparation, can change the course of a sport,' Tendulkar stated, acknowledging her role in putting Indian badminton on the global map.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Athletes
Tendulkar pointed out that beyond her impressive medal collection, Nehwal's most significant accomplishment has been inspiring countless young athletes across India. 'Beyond the medals lies your greatest achievement: inspiring young athletes across the country to believe that global success is possible,' he noted.
The cricket legend expressed confidence that Nehwal's influence would continue to resonate for generations to come. 'Every sporting journey evolves, and while one phase ends, another begins. One where your experience, perspective, and love for the game will continue to guide many,' Tendulkar added, thanking her for everything she has contributed to Indian sports.
The Physical Toll That Led to Retirement
Saina Nehwal confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton earlier this week after being out of action for two years due to a chronic knee condition. The 2012 London Olympic bronze medalist revealed that severe degeneration of her knee forced this difficult decision.
'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,' Nehwal said on a podcast. 'If you are not capable of playing anymore, that's it. It's fine.'
Nehwal's career faced significant challenges following a career-threatening knee injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Despite making a remarkable comeback to win a World Championships bronze in 2017 and Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, recurring knee issues continued to hamper her progress.
A Career Marked by Resilience and Achievement
Saina Nehwal's illustrious career includes:
- 2012 London Olympic bronze medal in women's singles
- World Championships bronze medal in 2017
- Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2018
- Numerous other international titles and accolades
Her last competitive match was at the Singapore Open in 2023. In 2024, she disclosed that arthritis in her knees and worn-away cartilage made it extremely challenging to maintain the training intensity required for elite competition.
Nehwal's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian badminton, but as Tendulkar noted, her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes who dream of representing India on the world stage.
