Saina Nehwal Retires: Badminton Star Cites Unfit Body, Knee Issues for Decision

• Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal has confirmed her retirement from professional badminton, having played her last match in 2023.
• The 35-year-old star stated that her body is no longer supporting her, specifically mentioning severe knee issues and arthritis.
• Saina explained that her cartilage is completely worn out, making intense training impossible and causing her knee to give up after just 1-2 hours.
• She did not make a formal retirement announcement, believing her absence from the court conveyed the message.
• Her career was significantly impacted by a knee injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics, despite a strong comeback with medals in 2017 and 2018.

Why It Matters: Badminton legend Saina Nehwal retires due to chronic knee issues and physical inability to compete at top level.