Saina Nehwal retires from badminton citing knee injury
HYDERABAD: Legendary Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, the country’s first Olympic medallist in badminton, has quietly brought the curtain down on her career, citing persistent knee problems that no longer allow her to compete at the elite level.
Knee cartilage damage forced decision
Speaking on a podcast on Monday, the former world No. 1 said severe cartilage wear and advanced arthritis in her knee made high-intensity training impossible. She said world-class badminton demands eight to nine hours of daily practice, but she is now unable to train even for one or two hours without pain and swelling.
“My knee cartilage has completely worn out. The arthritis is severe. If I practise even for an hour or two, my knee swells and later I can’t even walk. I can’t take that kind of pressure anymore,” Nehwal said.
Last match in 2023 Singapore Open
The Hyderabad-born shuttler said she last competed at the 2023 Singapore Open and has been away from the sport since then. She added that her body was no longer responding to the demands of top-level competition.
No formal retirement announcement
Nehwal said she did not feel the need for a formal media announcement. “I entered the sport on my own terms and I am leaving it the same way. People already knew I wasn’t playing,” she said.
Nehwal remains one of Indian badminton’s most influential figures, having won an Olympic bronze medal and several major international titles, while also becoming the first Indian woman to attain the world No. 1 ranking.
