Saina Nehwal considering retirement from badminton due to arthritis: Details
What's the story
Indian badminton champion, Saina Nehwal, has publicly disclosed her ongoing struggle with arthritis. The condition has severely impacted her knees, limiting her ability to train effectively. In a recent podcast interview with Gagan Narang, India's Chef de Mission at Paris Olympics 2024, she expressed concerns about her future in the sport and hinted at possible retirement by year-end.
Training struggles
Arthritis impacts Nehwal's training and performance
Nehwal described the severity of her condition during the podcast, stating, "The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state." She further explained that this makes it challenging for her to maintain rigorous training sessions of 8-9 hours daily. The badminton star expressed doubts about competing with top players under these circumstances.
Career pause
Nehwal's hiatus and potential retirement
Since her last competitive appearance at the Singapore Open in 2023, Nehwal has not participated in any tournaments. She acknowledged the brevity of a sports person's career and hinted at contemplating retirement. "I am also thinking about it," she said, adding that she would assess her feelings by the end of this year before making a final decision.
Career reflection
Nehwal reflects on her illustrious career and future
Despite her health struggles, Nehwal expressed pride in her achievements, including two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2018. She also voiced disappointment over potentially missing future Olympics due to her condition. "Competing at the Olympics is a childhood dream for all," she said, adding that it's painful when one realizes they might not be able to fulfill this dream due to health issues.