New Delhi: Former world No.1 and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal has clarified that she stopped playing competitive badminton nearly three years ago but did not make a formal retirement announcement, as she did not feel it was necessary. Speaking on a recent podcast, Saina said she has been away from the sport for the last two years due to persistent knee problems and believes it is better to step aside when the body no longer supports high-level competition, adding that playing or not playing is entirely her personal decision.
Injuries Led to Decision, Says Saina
Saina said her decision was influenced by multiple factors, with chronic knee pain being the primary reason. She last competed at the Singapore Open in 2023 and informed her coach and parents about stepping back from the sport, noting that followers would have already understood her absence from tournaments. “I entered badminton out of passion, and I am staying away now because I cannot play anymore. My farewell is not a big event,” she remarked.
A Trailblazer in Indian Badminton
Widely regarded as the first superstar of Indian women’s badminton, Saina is a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and created history in 2015 by becoming the first Indian to achieve the world No.1 ranking in women’s singles. In her personal life, she married fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap in 2018, and the couple announced their separation in 2025, a development that brought Saina Nehwal back into public attention.