New Delhi buzzed with mixed emotions on Tuesday as badminton icon Saina Nehwal announced her retirement, leaving fans heartbroken yet full of admiration. The Haryana shuttler, long a beacon for Indian sports, cited chronic knee issues as the reason behind her tough decision after nearly two years away from competitive play.
Yuvraj Singh, the celebrated Indian cricketer, was quick to laud her achievements on social media. ‘Played brilliantly, Saina. Congratulations on a fantastic career. You’ve elevated Indian badminton and inspired a generation. Best wishes for whatever comes next,’ he posted.
Saina’s journey from a small-town girl in Hisar to global stardom is the stuff of legends. She made history at the 2012 London Olympics, clinching bronze – India’s first-ever Olympic medal in badminton. Her accolades stack up impressively: Junior World Champion in 2008, quarterfinalist at Beijing Olympics, first Indian to win a BWF Super Series in 2009 with Indonesia Open, and Commonwealth Games gold in 2010.
The pinnacle came in 2015 when she soared to World No. 1, becoming only the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to achieve that feat. She also reached the BWF World Championships final that year, a first for any Indian.
Explaining her retirement, Saina shared the physical toll: ‘You train 8-9 hours to be the best, but my knee gave up after one or two. Swelling made it impossible. Cartilage is gone, arthritis has set in – comeback is too hard.’ After consultations with family and coaches, she chose to hang up her racket.
As tributes pour in, Saina’s legacy endures. She’s not just a champion; she’s the pioneer who put Indian badminton on the world map, motivating countless young athletes to pick up a shuttlecock.
