Saina Nehwal Turns 35: Celebrating the Queen of Indian Badminton and Her Glorious Journey
Indian badminton legend Saina Nehwal celebrates her 35th birthday today, March 17. A pioneer in Indian sports, Nehwal revolutionized badminton in the country and inspired a generation of players with her determination, skill, and achievements on the global stage.
Born in Haryana in 1990, Nehwal began her badminton journey at the age of eight after her family moved to Hyderabad. With parents who were state-level badminton players, she was influenced by a strong sporting background from an early age. Under the mentorship of renowned coaches like SM Arif, Pullela Gopichand, and U. Vimal Kumar, she honed her skills and rose to prominence.
Her first breakthrough came in 2008 when she won the BWF World Junior Championships. That same year, she made her Olympic debut at the Beijing Games, reaching the quarter-finals—an unprecedented feat for an Indian female shuttler.
A year later, in 2009, she made history by winning the Indonesian Open, becoming the first Indian to claim a BWF Super Series title. Nehwal continued to dominate international badminton, securing titles at the India Open, Singapore Open, and successfully defending her Indonesian Open crown in 2010. Later that year, she clinched the Commonwealth Games gold medal in front of a home crowd in New Delhi.
Her most iconic moment came in 2012 when she won India’s first-ever Olympic medal in badminton, securing a bronze at the London Games. Following this triumph, Nehwal continued to excel, winning two Austrian Open titles and the China Open. Her on-court battles with fellow Indian shuttler PV Sindhu, including victories at the 2014 India Open and the 2018 Commonwealth Games final, were widely celebrated moments in Indian badminton history.
Nehwal remains the only Indian to achieve podium finishes in every BWF major tournament. She reached a new milestone in 2015, becoming the first Indian to attain the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles badminton.
Her outstanding contributions to Indian sports have been recognized with multiple prestigious awards. She received the Arjuna Award in 2009, followed by the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Shri in 2010. In 2016, she was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards.
Even though injuries have slowed her career in recent years, Nehwal’s impact on Indian badminton remains unparalleled. Her legacy as the ‘Queen of Indian Badminton’ continues to inspire young athletes to dream big and achieve greatness.
As she turns 35, we celebrate the journey of a true champion who has left an indelible mark on Indian sports. Happy Birthday, Saina Nehwal!
