Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu paid tribute to senior compatriot Saina Nehwal after the former world No. 1 brought the curtains down on her decorated badminton career.
Sindhu acknowledged Saina’s contribution to Indian badminton and credited her for paving the way for players who followed. “Wishing you a happy retirement, @NSaina. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to Indian badminton. Wishing you peace, happiness, and the very best in this next phase of life,” Sindhu wrote on social media.
Saina did not make a formal retirement announcement but revealed in a recent podcast that she had stopped playing due to long-standing injury concerns. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist said she felt no need for an official declaration, having stepped away from the sport on her own terms.
“I had stopped playing two years back. I actually felt that I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms, so there was no need to announce it,” Saina said, as quoted by PTI.
“If you are not capable of playing any more, that’s it. It’s fine.”
Saina last competed in 2023, struggling with fitness issues and suffering multiple first-round exits. She finished her career with an Olympic medal and two World Championship medals — silver in 2015 and bronze in 2017. One of her final major titles came at the 2019 National Championships, where she defeated Sindhu in the final, and she also held a positive head-to-head record against her junior, winning three of their four meetings.
Beyond her achievements, Saina’s impact on Indian badminton was profound. Emerging at a time when the sport was still searching for sustained global success, she broke barriers and brought women’s badminton into the national spotlight with her aggressive playing style and relentless competitiveness.
At her peak, Saina consistently challenged the dominance of Chinese players, standing toe to toe with the likes of Wang Yihan, Wang Xin and Li Xuerui. Her All England Open triumph in 2015 and rise to world No. 1 were landmark moments that reshaped perceptions of Indian badminton on the global stage.
Perhaps her most enduring legacy is the generation she inspired. Sindhu, who went on to win Olympic and world championship honours, has often acknowledged the pathway Saina created — a testament to how one trailblazer transformed Indian badminton and set new standards of excellence.
Comments are closed.