Saina Nehwal battles arthritis, may consider about ’retirement’ by year-end

India's shuttler Saina Nehwal, bronze medal winner in the women's singles category at the London Olympics 2012, revealed that she has been battling arthritis for some time.

A report by India Today mentioned that the star India shuttler may consider retirement by the end of 2024 if her health doesn't improve, as it is becoming difficult for her to train.

"The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state. It is very difficult to push for 8-9 hours. How will you challenge the best players in the world in such a state? I think I will have to accept it somewhere. Because 2 hours of training is not good enough to play with the highest level of players and get the desired results," India Today quoted Saina as saying in the House of Glory podcast by Gagan Narang, who was India's Chef de Mission at Paris Olympics 2024.

On retirement:

Since her appearance in 2023 at the Singapore Open, Saina has not participated in competitive badminton tournaments. Though she didn't disclose that she would retire by the end of 2023, she did admit to the short career span of a sportsperson. 

"I am also thinking about it. It will be sad because it is like a job that a normal person does. Obviously, a sports person's career is always a short one. I started at the age of 9. I will be 35 next year. So, I have also had a long career. And I am very proud of that. I have broken my body to a great extent. I am happy with what I have done and given it all. Will assess how I feel by the end of this year," she said.

Saina's career:

In her career, the star shuttler won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, two gold medals in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2018, competed in three Olympics, won silver and bronze in the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, and received numerous awards at different world forums.

Apart from this, Saina was conferred with Padma Bhushan in 2016, Padma Shri in 2010, Arjuna Award for badminton in 2009, and several others.

After all these achievements, Saina appeared upset over not being able to compete in Olympics again.

"Competing at the Olympics is a childhood dream for all. You prepare to reach that level for years. Hence, at times, when you realise you will not be able to make it, it hurts a lot. Because it is not like you do not want to play, but your body is telling that you are not doing well and you have injuries."

"But I have done a lot of hard work. I competed in three Olympics. I gave my 100% in all of them. I can take pride in that and be happy about it," she added.