Saina Nehwal may have chuckled at the suggestion that badminton's new 3x15 scoring system could tempt her back onto the court, but the veteran shuttler's response quickly turned serious. For one of India's most accomplished athletes, the prospect of a shorter format is intriguing in theory, yet the reality of a body worn down by years of elite competition leaves little room for nostalgia.
"I wish I could come back, but I have total cartilage damage," Saina said during a virtual interaction. "My knee is in a seriously bad shape. I cannot push for more than half an hour. But yes, I really do want to play."
The 36-year-old's reflections came as badminton prepares for a major change from January 2027, when the sport is set to adopt a 3x15 scoring system. The revised format is expected to shorten matches and alter the rhythm of elite play, potentially changing how players train, recover and manage their careers. Saina, who spent nearly two decades on the professional circuit, said the new structure could extend careers by reducing the physical toll of long matches and dense tournament schedules.
"I think the good thing is that Sindhu has the best physiotherapist and trainer. This is really helpful. Her court movement is very good," Saina observed, referring to P.V. Sindhu, India's double Olympic medallist and one of the sport's most durable performers. "From next year, when the points system shifts to 3x15, matches will get shorter. You will get a lot of recovery time between fixtures. There are big breaks between Super 1000 tournaments too, which guarantees good rest periods.
"Careers will extend longer because the matches are shorter. Any player can win tournaments in that scenario," she added.
Saina's assessment was measured, but not uncritical. She noted that the new scoring system could tilt the sport further toward power and speed, which may make the game more explosive but also more punishing on the body if training loads are not managed carefully.
"The new scoring system will tilt the game towards power and speed. But when you train for power and speed, chances of getting injured are higher. If Sindhu can take care to avoid injuries, she can play for a long time," she said.
For Sindhu, who at 31 remains one of India's most recognisable sporting figures, the change could arrive at a pivotal stage in her career. In July, she reminded the badminton world of her class by becoming the first Indian to win the Japan Open, a result that underlined both her longevity and her ability to remain relevant at the top level.
Saina also used the discussion to assess the next generation of Indian women's badminton, a group she believes has promise but still trails the standard set by her and Sindhu. Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma, she said, have shown encouraging signs, while Devika Sihag and others will need more time and consistency to bridge the gap.
"In terms of attitude and skill, Tanvi and Unnati have a very bright future. They have gained experience and produced results. Devika and the other players need to improve a bit more," Saina said. "There are challenges – how do you make a comeback from a loss? How much do you train on a regular basis? Are you ready to push yourself and not give up? As far as I have seen, Tanvi and Unnati don't give up. They keep fighting. They have the best coaches too. Tanvi is training under Park Tae-sang, while Unnati is training with her father."
Her comments carried the weight of experience from a player who once became the first Indian woman to reach world No. 1 and who remains one of the defining figures in Indian badminton. Asked about the global benchmark, she reserved special praise for Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist An Se-young, whom she described as a "once in a generation" player.
Saina said she had faced the South Korean when An was still an emerging talent and had shared the head-to-head record 1-1. What stands out now, she said, is the completeness of An's game and the hunger that continues to drive her even after major success.
"An can rally very well, and the improvement now is that she dives well to pick up shots. She has also improved the speed of strokes. She is not the fastest player, but she has fast strokes and her court coverage is very smooth," Saina said.
"Even after having won the Olympic gold and so many titles, you can still see that hunger to win. When she lost recently, you saw her crying," she added, trailing off mid-thought but leaving little doubt about the admiration she holds for the world's best.
Beyond the tactical and technical discussion, Saina's remarks also carried a broader message about sporting culture in India. The former champion has long been among the country's most visible athletes outside cricket, and her comments reflected a familiar frustration: that achievements in non-cricket disciplines still do not always receive the same celebration or sustained attention.
For Saina, the ideal future is one in which Indian sport expands its spotlight rather than narrowing it. If the new badminton format helps players last longer, she believes that is welcome. But the larger victory, she suggested, will come when champions from every sport are recognised with equal enthusiasm.
"I will be happy as long as winners from non-cricket sports are also celebrated," she said, summing up a career-long plea that extends well beyond the badminton court.