New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) The iconic Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar offered a heartfelt homage to badminton superstar Saina Nehwal, praising her for bringing Indian badminton to the global arena throughout her nearly two-decade-long journey.

The bronze medallist from the 2012 London Olympics, who last competed at the BWF Singapore Open in 2023, had not formally declared her retirement until Monday. During a podcast, the former World No. 1 expressed that she had stepped away from the sport on her own terms, stating that “there was no need to announce it.”

Emphasizing Saina's significant impact on the sport, Tendulkar stated on X, “Dear Saina, your career illustrates that greatness is achieved gradually, through patience, valor, and unwavering commitment. You have elevated Indian badminton to the world stage and demonstrated that belief combined with preparation can transform the trajectory of a sport.”

“Your greatest achievement goes beyond the medals. You have inspired countless young athletes throughout the nation, instilling the belief that achieving global success is within reach. Every athletic journey transforms, and while one chapter concludes, another commences—one in which your wisdom, outlook, and passion for the game will continue to mentor many. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to Indian sports; your legacy will resonate for generations,” he added.

Saina garnered international acclaim in 2008 as the junior world champion and became the first Indian woman to reach the quarter-finals in singles badminton at the Olympics (Beijing 2008). In 2009, she made history as the first Indian to claim a BWF Super Series title by winning the Indonesia Open, and a year after, she triumphed at the Commonwealth Games. At the 2012 London Olympics, Saina made history as India’s first Olympic medallist in badminton.

In 2015, she achieved more milestones by ascending to the world No. 1 spot in the singles badminton rankings, making her the first Indian woman to do so and the second shuttle from the country—after Prakash Padukone—to reach the pinnacle.

She also became the first shuttle from India to reach the BWF World Championships final that year, where she earned a silver medal after a tough match against Carolina Marin.

Her career faced several interruptions due to knee injuries, particularly after the Rio 2016 Olympics. Nevertheless, Saina made a successful comeback, securing a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Throughout her career, Saina has received numerous prestigious national honors, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and the Arjuna Award. A biopic titled ‘Saina’ was released in 2021, chronicling her remarkable journey.

In 2024, she disclosed that she was suffering from arthritis and complete cartilage wear in her knees, which compelled her to make the tough decision to say goodbye to the sport she cherished.