Saina Nehwal struggles with injuries continue, sets no timeline on return

Saina Nehwal has put no timeline on her return to the professional circuit as the 33-year-old Indian badminton star revealed on Wednesday that the treatment of her prolonged knee injury, which has kept her out of action since June this year.

Saina Nehwal, who addressed the media during a promotional event in New Delhi, said that the inflammation in her knees is still there and she won't return to the professional circuit until she fully recovers as she gets treated by renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala.

"My knees and cartilage started to hurt during the Singapore Open a few months ago (in June)," said Saina Nehwal at an event organised by Harvest Gold Global Race 2023. "Following consultation with Dr Pardiwala, my knees showed inflammation and it it is something that will take time to heal."

The London Olympic bronze medallist and former World No. 1 stressed that she has learnt her lessons from the past as Saina have had a career marred with injuries, which halted her progress over the last few years, including multiple injuries in 2021 that forced her to miss the Tokyo Olympics and BWF World Championships. She had a groin injury during the Thomas and Uber Cup last year, which was also the period when her knee injury surfaced for the first time.

"Playing is easy, I can do that now ut once you go through so many injuries, you learn your lesson. You have to respect your body and can not force yourself on to the court. It's important that I completely heal first and then be fit to return to the court," said Nehwal.

The two-time Asian Games bronze medallist subsequently won't be featuring at the Asian Games 2023 as well, which could also mean she may not feature at the continental showpiece event again in her career as Saina Nehwal will be 36 by the time of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

The three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist in fact didn't rule out the possibility of not making a comeback at all if she fails to recuperate from her knee issues.

"It's something that I don't want to think about now but if things go down to that then yes I will be quitting the game without making a comeback. But at the moment, I am positive, I will fight till the end to return to the court," said Saina Nehwal.

Saina Nehwal on Wednesday was revealed as the 'Race Ambassador' for Harvest Gold Global Race 2023, slated in Gurugram on September 24, 2023.