Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, a former Olympic bronze medalist and world No. 1, is considering retiring from badminton due to severe arthritis. The 34-year-old revealed in a recent podcast with Gagan Narang that the condition has significantly hindered her ability to train for extended hours, making it challenging to compete at the highest level.
Nehwal, who won a historic bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and gold at the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, has struggled with her knee cartilage, which has deteriorated to a point where extended training sessions are no longer feasible. She acknowledged that with her current physical state, maintaining the rigorous training required to compete internationally has become increasingly difficult.
The shuttler admitted that the decision to retire is imminent and will be made by the end of the year. Reflecting on her career, Nehwal expressed pride in her achievements but also recognized the inevitable end of her sporting journey. She has not competed since her early exit in the 2023 Singapore Open and is now evaluating her future in the sport.
Nehwal, who began her career at the age of nine, emphasized the emotional and physical toll of a sports career and the challenge of balancing personal expectations with those from family, coaches, and sponsors. Despite the possibility of retiring, she remains proud of her accomplishments and the impact she has made in badminton.
