Saina Nehwal Encourages Lakshya Sen After All England Open Heartbreak
Saina Nehwal's Support for Lakshya Sen
In New Delhi, Saina Nehwal, India's first Olympic medalist in badminton, expressed her sympathy for fellow Indian player Lakshya Sen, who narrowly missed winning the All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 in Birmingham. This loss meant he could not join the ranks of Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) as the only Indians to claim this prestigious title.
While attending the CXO Pickleball League event, Nehwal reflected on her own experience of being a runner-up at the same tournament in 2015.
She stated, "I also faced defeat in 2015. It often comes down to luck. Lakshya gave his all and performed admirably throughout the competition, even defeating the world’s top player in the first round. Reaching the finals is no small feat, and sometimes fatigue sets in. The opponent in the finals is also formidable, making it a challenging match."
Sen concluded the tournament as the runner-up after losing to Taiwan's Lin Chun-Yi in a closely contested men's singles final, with scores of 15-21, 20-22.
Nehwal recalled her own 2015 final, where she lost despite winning the first game, with Spain's Carolina Marin ultimately taking the title with a score of 21-16, 14-21, 7-21.
Looking ahead, she expressed hope that Sen would be better prepared for future championships, emphasizing his potential and the need for hard work and dedication.
In a disappointing turn, badminton has been excluded from the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. Nehwal voiced her disappointment, stating, "It’s unfortunate since we have been performing well. However, as athletes, we must focus on training for the Asian Games, Olympics, and other major tournaments. I believe badminton will return to the Commonwealth Games in the future."
She remains optimistic about India's chances in badminton, asserting that players like Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu, Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy are all capable of winning medals in upcoming competitions.
As the brand ambassador for India's inaugural CXO Pickleball League, Nehwal highlighted the growing interest in pickleball across the country, noting, "I see a bright future for pickleball in India. The number of players is increasing, and courts are becoming more common in neighborhoods. I believe the sport will gain significant popularity."
After announcing her retirement in January 2026 due to prolonged injuries, Nehwal encouraged the youth to prioritize their health, stating, "Stay physically and mentally fit, and maintain a nutritious diet. Good food contributes to your energy levels. While we are all intelligent, we sometimes become physically inactive. I urge everyone to focus on their fitness and health."