Saina Nehwal Faces Arthritis Battle and Retirement Talk

Few athletes in India have inspired hope and sporting ambition quite like Saina Nehwal. From claiming Olympic bronze in 2012 to clinching two Commonwealth Games golds, Saina has spent years at the top. But now, she’s dealing with something no training can prepare for—crippling arthritis in her knees.

Not long ago, Saina could spend 8-9 hours a day on the court, outlasting rivals with grit and hustle. That’s no longer possible. In a revealing chat on the ‘House of Glory’ podcast, she admitted her training is now squeezed into just 2 hours. The reason: her knee cartilage is severely damaged, a blow that doesn’t just sideline an athlete—it messes with your entire life.

What’s notable here isn’t just the quiet courage with which she’s facing this. Saina is bringing visibility to arthritis, a disease almost always associated with the old. But athletes—yes, even young ones—can struggle too. She wants coaches, players, and especially middle-aged professionals who ignore pain, to take joint health seriously. Early diagnosis and treatment, she says, may not fix everything, but it certainly helps manage things better.

Personal Challenges and a New Chapter

As if this wasn’t tough enough, there’s also big news on the personal front—Saina and her husband, fellow badminton star Parupalli Kashyap, have decided to go their separate ways after nearly six years of marriage. She made this public via Instagram, explaining that the split is about seeking peace, personal growth, and healing. They’re handling it privately and on their own terms, keeping the public and media at a respectful distance.

Saina’s openness about her physical and emotional journey stands out in a world where athletes often hide their vulnerabilities. With retirement looming—maybe as soon as the end of 2025—she’s facing the next phase with honesty, even as fans hope for a miracle comeback. Her story isn’t just about trophies and titles. It’s about resilience and what it costs to chase greatness, especially when your own body rebels.

For now, Saina is taking things one day at a time, balancing her health, her hard-fought legacy, and the possibility of life after competitive badminton. What won’t change any time soon: her place as a role model for anyone staring down injury, heartache, or the fear of letting go of a lifelong dream.