NEW DELHI: Indian batting icon Virat Kohli paid a heartfelt tribute to badminton great Saina Nehwal after she announced her retirement, hailing her for a career that helped take Indian badminton to the global stage.

Reacting to her retirement, Kohli took to social media to congratulate Saina and acknowledge her lasting impact on Indian sport. His words reflected the admiration athletes from other disciplines have for her journey and achievements.

“Congratulations @NSaina on a legendary career that put Indian badminton on the world stage. Wishing you a happy, fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. India is proud.”

Saina Nehwal, an Olympic bronze medallist and one of India’s most successful badminton players, called time on a career that inspired a generation.

From winning medals at the Olympics and World Championships to becoming a former world No. 1, Saina played a huge role in changing how Indian badminton was viewed internationally.

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.