New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal following her retirement from competitive badminton, lauding her for taking Indian badminton to the global stage and eventually inspiring generations of young athletes.
Sharing a post on X, Tendulkar said, “Dear Saina, your career is proof that greatness is built one day at a time, with patience, courage, and consistency.”
He credited the former world No. 1 for carrying Indian badminton to the global stage and proving that belief, when matched with preparation, can change the course of a sport.
“Beyond the medals, your greatest legacy is the inspiration you’ve given countless young athletes to dream big and believe that global success is possible,” Tendulkar wrote, underlining Saina’s impact off the court as much as her achievements on it.
The former India captain noted that while one phase of Saina’s sporting journey had come to an end, another was beginning, adding that her experience, perspective and love for the game would continue to guide aspiring sportspersons.
Tendulkar concluded his message by thanking Saina for her contribution to Indian sport, saying her influence would be felt “for generations to come.”
Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton on Monday after being sidelined for nearly two years due to a chronic knee condition.
The Indian shuttler is widely regarded as a trailblazer for Indian badminton. She rose to prominence by winning the women’s singles bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal.
Over her career, she won 24 international titles, including multiple Super Series crowns, and became the first Indian woman to attain the world No. 1 ranking in 2015.
