New Delhi, Dec 1: Former world no.1 Saina Nehwal will miss the World Championships for the first time in her international career due to multiple injuries that have derailed her season.
The London Olympics bronze-medallist, who has won a silver and bronze besides eight quarterfinal finishes in the World Championships over the years, is recovering from a groin pull and knee injury. The big event will be held in Huelva, Spain from December 12 to 19.
“Saina had to withdraw from World Championship as she is still recovering from the groin and a knee injury. She won’t be able to regain fitness in time to play the tournament,” Saina’s husband and fellow shuttler Kashyap told PTI. Returning to action at the Thomas and Uber Cup Final in Aarhus, Denmark in October, Saina had to retire midway in the round-robin match against Spain’s Clara Azurmendi due to a groin niggle.
“She had a tough groin injury in Uber Cup. She was fine in Denmark but it didn’t heal properly and again started paining when she was playing in French Open. It aggravated and became serious,” said Kashyap. “She also had a knee injury in France and had to pull out”
During the course of her stellar career, Saina has never missed the World Championships since making her debut in the 2006 edition. (PTI)
