Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal, who turned 35 on March 17, 2025, has officially confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton. The announcement, revealed during a podcast, clarifies her extended absence from the sport. Nehwal stated she had effectively stopped playing two years prior, with her last competitive outing being the 2023 Singapore Open. She expressed that she felt she entered and left the sport on her own terms, thus negating the need for a formal public announcement. The primary reason for her decision is a persistent and severe chronic knee condition, specifically arthritis and significant cartilage degeneration. Nehwal explained that her knees could no longer withstand the rigorous eight to nine hours of training required to compete at an elite level, leading to swelling and immense difficulty. This physical limitation made it impossible for her to continue pushing for top performance. Her career has been marked by remarkable achievements, including an Olympic bronze medal at London 2012 and a former World No. 1 ranking, solidifying her status as a trailblazer for Indian badminton. This news marks the end of a glorious era in Indian sports.