Ace Indian shuttler and former Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal has disclosed that she is struggling with arthritis, which has made it challenging for her to maintain her usual training schedule. As a result, she will need to decide on her future in badminton by the end of the year. The 34-year-old, who was the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal with her bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, has competed in three Olympic Games but has been plagued by injuries in recent years.
The gold medalist from the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games acknowledged that her career is nearing its end.
“My knee is not in good condition. I have arthritis, and my cartilage is in a bad state. Training for eight to nine hours has become very difficult,” Nehwal said on the ‘House of Glory’ podcast, hosted by shooting legend Gagan Narang, who was India’s chef-de-mission at the recent Paris Olympics. “How can you compete with the best players in the world in such a condition? I think I have to accept this reality. Training for just two hours isn’t enough to compete at the highest level and achieve the desired results.”
Nehwal is still contemplating the impact of retirement but admitted that she would have to make a decision soon. The trailblazing athlete, who is also a member of the BJP, last competed over a year ago at the Singapore Open, where she was eliminated in the first round.
“I’m also thinking about retirement. It will be difficult because it’s like a job for a regular person. A sportsperson’s career is always short. I started playing at the age of 9, and I will be 35 next year,” she said. “I have had a long career, and I am proud of it. I have pushed my body to its limits. I am happy with what I have achieved and given it my all. I will evaluate how I feel by the end of this year.”
The Padma Shri awardee mentioned that competing in the Olympics was her childhood dream, and missing the event for two consecutive editions has been painful. “Competing in the Olympics is a dream for everyone. You work towards that goal for years. So, when you realize you can’t make it, it hurts a lot. It’s not that you don’t want to play, but your body tells you otherwise, and you have injuries,” she shared.
Nevertheless, Nehwal takes pride in her Olympic journey. “I have worked very hard. I competed in three Olympics and gave my 100% in all of them. I can take pride in that and be happy about it,” she said.
Nehwal also spoke about the pressure of expectations, noting that as a top athlete, she has faced it not only from the public but also from those close to her. “When you become a prominent player, your friends, family, coaches, and sponsors all expect you to perform well. There are many stakeholders involved,” she explained. “Given the already short career span, athletes can’t afford a four-year break; they have to keep performing. To become an international champion, you have to be strong enough to make tough decisions,” she added.
