"I thought it's enough, can't push anymore," declares Saina Nehwal, confirming her retirement from competitive badminton.

Saina Nehwal, the renowned shuttler from India, announced her retirement from competitive badminton, citing a lack of stamina. Due to a persistent knee ailment, Nehwal, the bronze medallist from the 2012 Olympics, has not participated in any official matches since the 2023 Singapore Open.

"I had given up playing two years ago. Saina stated on a podcast, "I really felt that I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms, so there was no need to announce it." "That's it if you can no longer play. It's alright.

She said she had to announce her retirement due to her deteriorating knee condition. "My parents and coaches needed to know that you have arthritis and that your cartilage has completely degenerated. I just told them, 'Now probably I can't do it anymore, it is difficult,'" she said.

The former World No. 1 claimed that since her absence would have the same effect on her fans, she did not feel the need to declare her retirement.

"People will also realize that Saina is not playing gradually," she stated.

The Olympic medallist described the decision as final because her knees could no longer tolerate even mild exercise.

"I didn't think announcing my retirement would be such a big deal. My knee was no longer able to push as much as it used to, so I simply felt like my time was up," she remarked.

"To be the best in the world, you train for eight or nine hours, but now my knee was failing after just one or two hours." After that, pushing became extremely difficult due to the swelling. I therefore believed it to be sufficient. She continued, "I can't push it anymore.

A potentially fatal knee injury sustained during the Rio 2016 Olympics had a significant impact on Saina's career. Despite her remarkable comeback, which saw her win gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2017 World Championships, her ongoing knee issues continued to impede her development.

She revealed in 2024 that she was unable to train at the level required by elite competition due to severe cartilage wear and arthritis in her knees.