NEW DELHI: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar hailed Saina Nehwal's journey as an inspiring story of perseverance and sustained excellence, stating that her impact on Indian sport goes well beyond the medals she won.

Tendulkar's tribute came after Saina officially announced her retirement from competitive badminton earlier this week. The former world number one revealed that a long-standing knee problem, which had kept her away from the court for nearly two years, had made it impossible for her body to withstand the rigours of top-level competition.

The 35-year-old shuttler from Hyderabad, who won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, last appeared in a professional match at the Singapore Open in 2023. While she stepped away from the sport quietly at the time, her recent announcement has now brought the curtain down on one of Indian badminton's most influential careers.

"Dear Saina, your career is proof that greatness is built one day at a time, with patience, courage, and consistency," Tendulkar said in a post on X.

"You carried Indian badminton to the world stage and showed that belief, when matched with preparation, can change the course of a sport. Beyond the medals lies your greatest achievement."

Tendulkar said Saina's biggest achievement went beyond medals, as she inspired young athletes across the country to believe that success at the highest level was possible.

"Inspiring young athletes across the country to believe that global success is possible. Every sporting journey evolves, and while one phase ends, another begins," the batting icon wrote.

"One where your experience, perspective, and love for the game will continue to guide many. Thank you for everything you've given to Indian sport. Your influence will be felt for generations."

Saina's career was significantly impacted by a career-threatening knee injury at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

She made a strong comeback to win a World Championships bronze in 2017 and the Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, but recurring knee issues continued to disrupt her progress.

In 2024, she revealed that she has arthritis in her knees and that her cartilage has worn away, making it extremely difficult to train at the intensity required for top-level competition.

(With PTI Inputs)