Badminton icon Saina Nehwal hints at retirement amid arthritis struggles

This news may be disheartening for Saina Nehwal fans, as the badminton icon has hinted at her retirement. On the House of Glory podcast, Saina Nehwal shared that she’s dealing with arthritis in her knees.

34-year-old Saina, who holds a special place in Indian sports history as the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in the women’s singles at the London Games in 2012, stated that her knee is in poor condition.

She revealed that significant cartilage deterioration made it incredibly difficult to endure the eight to nine hours of training required for high-level competitions.

The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist from 2010 and 2018 admitted that maintaining her usual training hours is becoming increasingly challenging, leading her to reflect on the possibility that her career might be nearing its end.

She acknowledged that two hours of training isn't sufficient to compete with the world's top players, and she needs to come to terms with that reality.

Arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

While it cannot always be prevented, there are strategies to help manage and reduce its impact. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to preventing long-term joint damage and effectively managing symptoms.

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