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Former Olympic bronze-medallist Saina Nehwal opened up on her ongoing battle with arthritis that has made it impossible for her train like she used to in order to prepare for the international stage.
"The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state. It is very difficult to push for eight-nine hours," Nehwal said on the 'House of Glory' podcast hosted by shooting great Gagan Narang who won bronze medal at London Olympics.
"How will you challenge the best players in the world in such a state? I think I will have to accept it somewhere. Because two hours of training is not good enough to play with the highest level of players and get the desired results," she added.
Nehwal proud of what she has achieved
Nehwal's last appearance on the international stage was in the Singapore Open. She crashed out of the tournament after suffering a defeat in the opening round. Nehwal is happy with what she has achieved in her career.
"I am also thinking about it (retirement). It will be sad because it is like a job that a normal person does. Obviously, a sportsperson's career is always a short one. I started at the age of 9. I will be 35 next year," the 35-year-old said.
"I have also had a long career and I am very proud of that. I have broken my body to a great extent. I am happy with what I have done and given it all. (I) will assess how I feel by the end of this year," she added.
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‘Gave by 100 per cent’
Nehwal in London Olympics 2012 became India's first badminton player to win a medal in the history of the games. She expressed her disappointment to miss the Games for two consecutive editions.
"Competing at the Olympics is a childhood dream for all. You prepare to reach that level for years. Hence, at times, when you realise you will not be able to make it, it hurts a lot," the veteran shuttler said.
"Because it is not like you do not want to play, but your body is telling that you are not doing well and you have injuries.
"But I have done a lot of hard work. I competed in three Olympics. I gave my 100 per cent in all of them. I can take pride in that and be happy about it.”
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