Down but not out

Saina Nehwal, who came into the badminton scene with a bang during the 2012 London Olympics, was recently heard fretting over the possibility that her ‘career might end’. In an interview with a major sports website, she said, “It’s okay, many people will think my career will end and I won’t come back. I also think somewhere deep in my heart that maybe it is the end of my career, so let’s see how it is. You never know.”

The Rio games this year saw a beaten-down Saina limping her way to a loss during the group qualifier stages. She had been playing with an injury, which got even more aggravated during the games. She eventually had to undergo a complicated surgery shortly after the Olympic games. While the recovery process threatens to be long and tedious, she is determined to work hard to get back in shape.

History is witness to the fact that, whenever sports persons have had an injury, they have made a major comeback afterwards. Take for instance Sachin Tendulkar, who made a comeback from a tennis elbow or Yuvraj Singh who came back into the cricketing world with a bang after his battle with cancer. Saina’s fans and fellow athletes are holding on to the hope that a similar comeback is in the works for the former world number 1, too.

Jwala Gutta, Olympian and Indian badminton player
I’ve never been seriously injured. Maybe I can’t relate to Saina’s injuries, but I feel for her. As athletes, we don’t know anything but to play badminton and give this sport our all. It becomes difficult to imagine our lives without it. But, you need to come to terms with the fact that, after a point, there’s not much you can do. However, I don’t think it’s the end for Saina yet.

Obviously, she’s feeling low, especially since people are ready to criticise athletes and judge us, especially in India. Here, people don’t seem to care about the other persons’ anguish. She’s done so much for our country and she’s gone through an injury. We should give her some time and positive vibes, and not be critical about it.

It’s very difficult to be in your 20s and call it a day. I’m in my early 30s and I haven’t been able to take that decision yet! You have to really think about all the aspects before you do it. As sports persons, we’re really busy with the game the whole day and calling quits means there’s nothing else to fill your day with. Only a retired person will be able to understand our dilemma. If you ask me though, I’d enjoy my retirement and start working for women in sports.

Ayaz Memon, sports author and senior journalist
Injuries are a part and parcel of being a sportsperson. They have to mentally prepare themselves for such situations. But, this also depends from sport to sport. Say, in case of a cricketer, the life span is much longer and the chances of a comeback are much better. In case of a badminton player like Saina, it’s doubtful that she will have a career going past 35 or 37, given the intensity of the sport.

It’s always unfortunate when a sportsperson is injured and has to retire prematurely, and it’s worse when the player is in his or her prime, or the 20s. It can be a very demoralising experience, and can even take a toll personally as well. An injury in any walk of life is a difficult thing to deal with and it’s more difficult when you’re a sportsperson and your livelihood depends on the physical fitness.

Thankfully, sports medicine and science has made dealing with trauma and other injuries easier, making comebacks a smoother affair. On the other hand, because of the advancement of science, and the number of tournaments, the pressure to deliver has also increased.

Dhanraj Pillay, Olympian and former India hockey captain
Saina has dedicated a major chunk of her life to this sport and I’m sure she will make a comeback like never before. It’s natural for an athlete to have such thoughts. I had a knee surgery a few months before my 2004 Athens Olympics and went through the same phase, but with proper training and constant practice, was in the league soon. I was 37 years old back then but even after the injury, my fitness levels were at par with a 19-year-old competing with me. Saina is a strong lady and I can vouch for her talent, she has to dedicate herself completely to her sports and not care about what the world has to say. We have had many instances where players like Leander Paes and Sachin Tendulkar have made a stellar comeback right after their injuries. The mind does play games with you during a weak phase but the only way to trick it is believe in yourself, practice hard and you will bounce back soon.