That is exactly the feeling that has plagued the Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal, who is unable to fully get a grip on her illustrious career.
The 29-year-old has been suffering from arthritis, it affected her knee joints, which limited her training as well as races for the past three years.
In an emotion-packed episode of the “House of Glory” podcast, hosted by Gagan Narang—India’s Chief journalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nehwal touched upon her recurring fitness issues and mentioned she could walk away from the sport if things don’t get better.
After Arthritis: Her Career is on the Line
“The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. The cartilage is in really bad shape. Carrying for 8-9 hours is pretty exhausting. How can you compete with the best players in the world in that state?” – Saina Nehwal
Key Challenges:
- Pain and Fatigue: Managing arthritis has made long training sessions exhausting.
- Limited Training: Only 2 hours of training is insufficient to compete at top levels.
- Potential Retirement: Nehwal is contemplating stepping away from the sport if her condition does not improve.
Transitioning from a child prodigy to international stardom, read the story of Saina Nehwal and her evolution in Indian badminton.
But arthritis has become a powerful foe, eating away at the cartilage in her knees and rendering high-impact training all but impossible.
There has been no competitive badminton for Nehwal since she last played while representing India at the 2023 Singapore Open as a result of an ailment that completely crippled her, both physically and emotionally.
“The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. The cartilage is in really bad shape. Carrying for 8-9 hours is pretty exhausting.
How can you compete with the best players in the world in that state?”
One of the things that Nehwal shared during the podcast. I guess I will have to understand it somewhere just because 2 hours of training is not up to the mark to play with top-notch players as well as get remarkable results.
During her prime, she won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, making history as India’s first woman to ever do so in badminton.
At 34, the athlete will soon face those very limitations in a body that can no longer withstand what had been her sport’s demands—leaving Nehwal to openly contemplate retiring from a game she once owned.
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A stellar career with ups and downs
Image Credit: English Jagran
- Bronze Medal at the London 2012 Olympics – India’s first female badminton medalist.
- Commonwealth Games Gold Medals in 2010 and 2018.
- Numerous other titles that have elevated Indian badminton on the global stage.
“I started at the age of 9. I will be 35 next year. So, I have been around a long time, too. And I am very proud of that. I’ve done a lot of damage to my body. I’m happy with what I’ve done and given.” – Saina Nehwal
Now, as she considers her options for the future, Nehwal has looked back at a career that started when she first got to play Suffern badminton just nine years ago.
She may have a stockpile of accolades—two Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2010 and 2018 to her name, among other titles over the years, having opened up new vistas for Indian badminton.
Her trek is one of undeterred commitment and resiliency, embodying the steely conviction she needed to make it as a trailblazer.
“I am also thinking about it. This is why it will be pathetic because this is something that an ordinary person does.
You know, as a sportsperson, your career is always so short,” Nehwal pointed. “I started at the age of 9. I will be 35 next year.
So, I have been around a long time, too. And I am very proud of that. I’ve done a lot of damage to my body. I’m happy with what I’ve done and given.”
On the physical limitations of her health, Nehwal adopts an open and humanistic approach.
She considers the potential for retirement as just another stage of a career that has long since reached more heights than most could ever hope to accomplish in one lifetime.
As to the idea of walking away from a sport that has been her life since she was 8, one gets there is some amount of difficulty, but Nehwal’s chest swells up with pride at what she could give Indian sports and how deep down in their hearts people respect all those golden wins.
The Road Ahead for Nehwal
While retirement is there on her mind, Nehwal said a return to the court wasn’t entirely ruled out, provided she remains fit. But for now, she is taking the opportunity to be careful and slowly test her feet while making sure that everyone walking this journey with her really knows what’s going on.
Her comments detail what professional sports can do to your body and speak volumes about the mental strength required when facing such obstacles.
In the going, one of badminton’s greatest warriors has proven to be as strong in mind and spirit when it comes to facing life after sport.
No matter whether she retires or tries for another comeback, her place in the annals of Indian badminton remains secure as one of its most pioneering figures.
This story of Nehwal is just an example of how you hit the sublime and deep ocean, but then there are high mountains to climb as well.
This shows us a glimpse into the life of an athlete, what highs they have to face like this, more frequent lows similar to where all things go awry, but it goes on for them tirelessly.
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References:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
indiatoday.in
