Saina Nehwal Retires: Career Highlights Of India’s Badminton Icon

Saina Nehwal's best career moments.

Retirement – January 2026

Saina Nehwal announced her retirement in January 2026, citing chronic knee degeneration and arthritis, bringing an end to a career that reshaped Indian badminton forever.

India’s First Olympic Badminton Medal

At the London 2012 Olympics, Saina won bronze, becoming India’s first-ever Olympic medallist in badminton and inspiring a nationwide sporting movement.

World No. 1 – A Historic First

In 2015, she became World No. 1 in BWF rankings, the first Indian woman and only the second Indian overall to achieve the feat.

2009 Indonesia Open: The Breakthrough Moment

Her win at the 2009 Indonesia Open made her the first Indian woman to clinch a BWF Super Series title, ending India’s underdog era.

World Championship Medals

Saina secured silver in 2015 and bronze in 2017 at the BWF World Championships, proving her big-match temperament on the world’s biggest stage.

Commonwealth Games Dominance

She won gold at the Commonwealth Games twice — 2010 (Delhi) and 2018 (Gold Coast) — becoming the first Indian woman with two singles gold medals.

Asian Games Bronze After 36 Years

At the 2018 Asian Games, Saina won bronze, ending India’s 36-year wait for a badminton medal at the continental event.

Uber Cup Leader

Saina led India to historic Uber Cup bronze medals in 2014 and 2016, cementing her role as a transformational team leader.

24 International Titles

Over nearly two decades, she claimed 24 international titles, including 10 BWF Super Series titles, showcasing unmatched consistency.

Fighting Through Injuries

Despite battling career-threatening knee injuries and arthritis, Saina continued competing at the elite level, redefining resilience in Indian sport.

A Legacy That Changed Indian Badminton

Honoured with the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan, Saina Nehwal’s legacy goes beyond medals — she changed the future of Indian badminton.