“My body couldn’t push anymore”: Saina Nehwal announces retirement from badminton

Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal officially announced her retirement from competitive badminton on Monday, bringing the curtains down on a trailblazing career that transformed the sport in India. The 35-year-old cited severe knee degeneration and arthritis as the primary reasons for stepping away, saying her body could no longer cope with the physical demands of elite competition.

Saina, who last played competitively at the Singapore Open in June 2023, said she had effectively stopped playing nearly two years ago but did not feel the need to formally announce her decision earlier. She explained that prolonged absence from tournaments itself reflected her reality, adding that she wanted to exit the sport on her own terms.

Speaking about her health, Saina revealed that chronic knee issues prevented her from undergoing high-intensity training. She said her cartilage had completely worn away, making it impossible to train beyond short durations, forcing her to accept that continuing at the highest level was no longer feasible.

Saina retires as one of India’s greatest badminton players, most notably becoming the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal with her bronze at the 2012 London Games. She also achieved the historic feat of becoming world No.1, won medals at World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, and played a pivotal role in popularising women’s badminton in the country.

Despite battling a career-threatening knee injury since the 2016 Rio Olympics, Saina staged multiple comebacks and continued to win medals at major events. Her retirement marks the end of an era in Indian badminton, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, excellence and inspiration for future generations.