PV Sindhu and Carolina Marin (Image credit: BAI) NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu on Friday penned a moving tribute to Spanish badminton legend Carolina Marino. Marin announced her retirement from professional badminton on Thursday, saying she is still dealing with the effects of a serious injury she suffered at Paris 2024. Marin won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and is a three-time world champion.Sindhu shared an emotional message for her long-time rival on Instagram, writing: “Some opponents become a part of your journey forever. Carolina was one of them. We first played together when we were 15 or 16 in the Maldives and have shared so many battles since then.“To be honest you were an absolute pain on the court too. The constant shouting, the intensity, the little tricks, you would get to anyone. But your skills, speed and combativeness were second to none,” Sindhu wrote.Sindhu also recalled the verbal sparring between the two shuttlers during the Denmark Open 2023 semi-finals, where the presiding referee showed both players a yellow card.“People remember the big matches and even the nasty spat we had in that third set because of the shuttle pick. I’ll admit I was absolutely furious that day.”“But a few months later we sat across from each other over coffee in Madrid, talking and laughing, and in that moment there was nothing but respect. That is the Carolina I will always remember,” she wrote.“I will also always be grateful for the incredible camaraderie our generation has built. Our group of girls have made women’s singles such a special place to compete and I honestly don’t know if badminton has seen or will ever see anything like it.”“Thank you for every battle, every lesson and most of all the friendship. I wish you the happiest of retirements Carolina. Badminton will miss you. And so will I,” Sindhu concluded.
Vote
Who do you think has had a greater impact on women’s badminton?
Marina’s career has been marred by serious knee injuries that have forced her to withdraw from her defense of Olympic gold and the 2021 home world championships.However, she made a remarkable comeback, reaching her fourth World Cup final and closing in on an Olympic final in 2024. Marin, comfortably leading He Bing Jiao in their semi-final at Paris 2024, collapsed in pain – a moment that turned out to be her last appearance on the biggest stage.
