After badminton star Saina Nehwal announced her retirement a couple of days ago, India’s legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to her on Thursday. Saina, who has been out of action for the last two years due to a chronic knee condition, confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton earlier this week, saying her body could no longer cope with the physical demands of elite sport.
“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 on a podcast. “If you are not capable of playing anymore, that’s it. It’s fine.”
Advertisement
Tendulkar said that Saina took Indian badminton to the world stage and said that her greatest achievement is inspiring a lot of young athletes.
Dear Saina, your career is proof that greatness is built one day at a time, with patience, courage, and consistency.
You carried Indian badminton to the world stage and showed that belief, when matched with preparation, can change the course of a sport.
“Dear Saina, your career is proof that greatness is built one day at a time, with patience, courage, and consistency. You carried Indian badminton to the world stage and showed that belief, when matched with preparation, can change the course of a sport. Beyond the medals lies your greatest achievement,” Tendulkar posted on X.
“Inspiring young athletes across the country to believe that global success is possible. Every sporting journey evolves, and while one phase ends, another begins. One where your experience, perspective, and love for the game will continue to guide many. Thank you for everything you’ve given to Indian sport. Your influence will be felt for generations,” he added.
Nehwal who last played a competitive match at the Singapore Open in 2023, is a 2012 London Olympic bronze medallist. Her career was significantly impacted by a career-threatening knee injury at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Advertisement
She made a strong comeback to win a World Championships bronze in 2017 and the Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, but recurring knee issues continued to disrupt her progress. In 2024, she revealed that she has arthritis in her knees and that her cartilage has worn away, making it extremely difficult to train at the intensity required for top-level competition.
Saina Nehwal revealed that the retirement decision was forced by the severe degeneration of her knee. (AP Photo) 
Share
