Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has saluted Saina Nehwal, recognizing her immense contribution to badminton in India, after a persistent knee injury forced her retirement from the sport. Nehwal, a former World No. 1, had been sidelined for nearly two years due to a chronic knee condition before confirming her retirement earlier this week.
Tendulkar praised Nehwal's illustrious career and her role in elevating Indian badminton to the world stage. He acknowledged her influence in inspiring generations of young athletes to pursue global success. Tendulkar posted a heartfelt message on X, highlighting that Nehwal's career exemplifies how greatness is achieved through patience, courage, and consistency. He emphasized that her belief, combined with preparation, changed the trajectory of the sport in India.
Nehwal, 35, revealed that she had been struggling with a chronic knee condition, including arthritis and cartilage wear, which ultimately led to her decision to retire. She last played competitively at the Singapore Open in 2023. In a recent podcast, Nehwal stated that she had stopped playing two years prior and felt she was leaving the sport on her own terms. She added that if she was no longer capable of playing, there was no need to announce it.
Throughout her career, Saina Nehwal achieved numerous milestones, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer in Indian badminton. In 2012, she won a bronze medal at the London Olympics, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal. In 2015, she became the first Indian woman to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in badminton. She is only the second Indian shuttler to reach the peak after Prakash Padukone. Nehwal also reached the final of the BWF World Championships in 2015, securing a silver medal. She has won 24 international titles, including several Super Series titles.
Despite facing setbacks due to knee injuries, particularly after the Rio 2016 Olympics, Nehwal demonstrated resilience by winning a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In addition to her sporting achievements, Nehwal has been honored with several major national awards, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and the Arjuna Award. A biopic about her life, titled "Saina," was released in 2021.
Tendulkar concluded his message by thanking Nehwal for her contribution to Indian sport, stating that her influence would be felt for generations to come. He recognized that inspiring young athletes across the country to believe that global success is possible is her greatest achievement.
