"No plans for coaching, it's the toughest job": Saina Nehwal hints at retirement

Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal has said that she has swelling in her knees, which has kept her out of competitive play. Speaking to the reporters during a press conference in Gurugram at Global Race 2023 on Wednesday, the Olympic and World Championships medalist hinted that the injury may lead her into retirement soon.

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"Three to four months ago I was playing Singapore Open. My knees and cartilage started to hurt. So, consulted a doctor and my physio is also working on it. My knees showed inflammation. I do not want to play half-hearted," Saina Nehwal said in the press conference. The Indian Badminton Player attended the press conference for the launch of 'Harvest Gold Global Race 2023' at Le Meridien, in New Delhi, September 13, 2023.

"Not thinking about coaching. For me playing is easy and coaching is the toughest job," Saina also said that she is not open to coaching in future.

Saina is not participating in the Asian Games due to injury. Due to her absence, Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, and PV Sindhu will be leading the Indian Badminton contingent in the Hangzhou Games set to take place from September 23- October 8.

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Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal has not been in good form in 2020. Last year, Saina played 13 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour tournaments. Out of which she reached the quarterfinals only once, at the Singapore Open. She has mostly made first-round exits in other tournaments. Also this year, she has played six BWF World Tour tournaments. Out of these three were eliminated in the first round and three in the second round.

Saina Nehwal is currently ranked 55th in the world in the women's singles competition. Her last BWF World Tour title win was in January 2019, when she won the Indonesia Masters.