Saina Nehwal Calls for Increased Physical Conditioning for Indian Shuttlers
Sydney, Australia – November 24, 2025 – Former world number one Saina Nehwal believes India’s current badminton players need to prioritize physical conditioning to achieve consistent success on the international stage. Speaking during the Legends’ Vision Legacy Tour India, Nehwal pointed to a trend of injuries hindering sustained results, contrasting it with the performance levels of past champions and current global stars.
Nehwal highlighted the need for players like Chirag, Lakshya, and Sindhu to focus on strengthening their bodies to compete for “back-to-back titles.” She cited the examples of Viktor Axelsen and Carolina Marin, who maintained peak physical condition throughout their careers. “The coaching part is not that arduous if your body is 100%. So maybe just focus on more trainers and physios and getting your body stronger,” Nehwal stated. She dismissed mental fortitude as a primary issue, asserting, “Mentally, everyone is strong. Physically, they just need to develop a bit more.”
Her comments came after Lakshya Sen ended a challenging period by winning the Australian Open Super 500 final on Sunday, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in Sydney. Nehwal expressed her satisfaction with Sen’s victory, noting, “A win is always a win; it gives you a lot of confidence. He has done well in this tournament. It’s a good sign that he is coming back to winning style.” She acknowledged the pressure Sen faces as India’s top men’s singles player,adding,”He’s at the highest level,so people expect him to win…The level has become so high that everyone expects everyone to win back-to-back.” sen’s win followed Ayush Shetty’s US Open Super 300 triumph, making him only the second Indian to claim a title this season.
Nehwal also addressed the performance of the current generation of women’s singles players, suggesting they may lack the aggressive power displayed by herself and PV sindhu during their teenage years. “Maybe the [current] generation is a little soft. Sindhu and I were a bit more aggressive and powerful,” she said. However, she emphasized the need for patience, stating, “We should give them time; they will understand with mistakes and experience.”
the badminton star attributed the increasing prevalence of injuries globally to the demanding physical nature of the sport. “Physically, it’s [an issue] with everyone in this generation. I don’t see anyone winning back-to-back because they get too many injuries,” Nehwal observed, pointing to examples like An se Young and Chinese players who frequently experience setbacks.