Saina Nehwal, born on 17 March 1990, is a famous professional badminton player from India. She has an impressive track record, boasting 24 international titles, including ten Superseries titles. While she first reached the world’s 2nd rank in 2009, it wasn’t until 2015 that she achieved the coveted world no. 1 ranking. This achievement made her the first female player from India and the second Indian player after Prakash Padukone to reach this pinnacle. Saina Nehwal has proudly represented India three times in the Olympics and clinched a bronze medal during her second appearance at London 2012.
Saina Nehwal Career Record
Career record
451 wins, 223 losses
Saina Nehwal Career Stats- World Championship, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games & More
Saina Nehwal has left an indelible mark in Indian badminton, achieving numerous significant milestones. She holds the distinction of being the sole Indian to secure medals in all major individual events sanctioned by the BWF, including the Olympics, BWF World Championships, and BWF World Junior Championships. She was the first Indian badminton player to clinch an Olympic medal, reach the final of the BWF World Championships, and win the BWF World Junior Championships. In 2006, Nehwal made history by becoming the first Indian female and the youngest Asian to triumph in a 4-star tournament. She further solidified her reputation by becoming the first Indian to secure a Super Series title.
In the 2014 Uber Cup, Nehwal displayed exceptional leadership as she captained the Indian team to an undefeated victory, resulting in India’s first-ever Uber Cup bronze medal. Notably, she became the first Indian to claim two singles gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2018.
Saina Nehwal’s remarkable achievements have elevated the profile of badminton in India, earning her recognition as one of the nation’s most successful badminton players. Her contributions to the sport were honored with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2016. She had previously received the nation’s top two sporting honors, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award. Beyond her sporting endeavors, Nehwal is also a philanthropist and was ranked 18th on the list of the most charitable athletes in 2015.
Won an Asian Satellite tournament at age 15, defeating Aparna Popat.
2006
Became the under-19 national champion and won the Philippines Open as the youngest player from Asia. Reached the final of the 2006 BWF World Junior Championships.
2007
Participated in the All England and the Sudirman Cup. Won matches at the 2007 BWF World Championships and reached the finals of the Indian International challenge.
Year
Achievements
2008
Became the first Indian to win the World Junior Championships. Participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals. Won the Chinese Taipei Open, was a semifinalist at the China Masters Superseries, and won the Commonwealth Youth Games. Named “The Most Promising Player” by the Badminton World Federation. Qualified for the season-ending Superseries Finals.
Year
Achievements
2009
Became the first Indian to win a BWF Super Series title, claiming the Indonesia Open. Reached the quarterfinals of the World Championships. Participated in the season-ending Superseries Finals. Won the India Grand Prix tournament.
Year
Achievements
2010
Reached the semi-finals of the All England Open. Secured a bronze medal in the Asian Championships. Won the India Open Grand Prix Gold and the Singapore Open. Achieved a career-high world no. 3 ranking in women’s singles badminton. Successfully defended her Indonesia Open title.
Year
Achievements
2011
Won the Swiss Open title. Reached the finals in the Malaysia Grand Prix Gold tournament, finishing as runner-up. Contributed to the Indian team’s quarterfinal appearance in the Sudirman Cup. Finished as runner-up in the Indonesian Open. Reached the semifinals of the 2011 BWF Super Series Masters Finals, becoming the first Indian singles player to do so. Lost in the final of the same event to Wang Yihan.
Year
Achievements
2012
Successfully defended her Swiss Open title and won the Thailand Open. Secured her third consecutive Indonesia Open title. At the London Olympics, she won a bronze medal. Claimed the Denmark Open title. Reached the finals of the French Open and participated in the season-ending Superseries Finals.
Year
Achievements
2013
Reached the semifinals of the All England Open and had a quarterfinal finish at the World Championships. Participated in the season-ending Superseries Finals.
2014
Won the India Grand Prix Gold tournament and the Australian Open. Withdrew from the 2014 Commonwealth Games due to fitness issues and injuries. Quarterfinalist at the World Championships and Asian Games. Became the first Indian to win the China Open. Participated in the Superseries Finals and reached the semifinals.
Year
Achievements
2015
Won the Syed Modi International and reached the finals of the All England Open. Claimed her maiden women’s singles title at the India Open, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the World no. 1 ranking in the Women’s category. Secured a silver medal at the World Championships. Participated in the Season Ending Championships.
Year
Achievements
2016
Recovered from early 2016 injuries and reached the semifinals of the Asian Championships, earning a bronze medal. Won the Australian Open. Participated in her third Olympics. Appointed as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Chosen as an Integrity Ambassador in BWF’s “I am Badminton” campaign.
2017
Won the Malaysia Masters. Continued to recover from injury. Reached the quarterfinals of the World Championship and won a bronze medal. Won the 82nd national badminton championship by defeating P. V. Sindhu in the final.
Year
Achievements
2018
Reached the finals of the Indonesia Masters, finishing as the runner-up. Won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games women’s singles and led the Indian team to another gold medal in the mixed team event. Secured a bronze in the Asian Championships. Competed in the World Championships, where she reached the quarterfinals. Won a bronze in the Asian Games, making history by winning medals in five major badminton tournaments. Reached the finals of the Denmark Open but finished as the runner-up. Also reached the finals of the Syed Modi Badminton Super 300 tournament but lost.
Year
Achievements
2019
Won her first BWF Super 500 title at the Indonesia Masters. Defended her national championship title. Ended her consistent record at the World Championships with a pre-quarterfinal loss.
