Saina Nehwal has announced her retirement from international badminton

Indian badminton legend Saina Nehwal has announced her retirement from international badminton. Confirming her decision, Saina revealed that persistent chronic knee pain over the past two years has made it difficult for her body to cope with the demands of elite-level sport.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by Subhojit Ghosh, Saina shared that she has not competed in any international tournaments since June 2023. She also stated that she does not believe a formal retirement announcement is necessary, adding that she entered the sport by choice and is stepping away on her own terms.

Saina made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman shuttler to win an Olympic medal. She also became the first Indian woman to achieve the world number one ranking. Her illustrious career includes two Commonwealth Games gold medals, Asian Games bronze medals, and multiple BWF Super Series titles.

Widely regarded as a trailblazer of Indian women’s badminton, Saina has inspired an entire generation of players, including PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen. Reports suggest that she plans to establish a badminton academy in Haryana after her retirement.