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New Delhi: Carolina Marin, one of badminton’s all-time greats announced her retirement from the sport on Thursday. Due to a persistent knee injury, which hampered her performance, she decided to bid adieu to badminton after enjoying a glittering career.

The 32-year-old Spanish badminton star took to social media on March 26 to confirm her decision after her celebrated badminton career gave her an Olympic gold medal and three World Championship titles. In a video message on her social media account, Marin, a former world no.1  wrote ‘My journey ends here’.

Health over profession, says Marin

She further explained herself saying that the recurring injury had forced her to take the tough call, where she chose to prioritise her long-term health over a final appearance on court.

‘My journey in professional badminton has come to an end and therefore I will not be competing in the European Championships in Huelva,’ Marin said.

‘I wanted us to see each other for the last time on a track, but I don’t want to put my body at risk for that. I said many times, and I am consistent with my decision.’

The badminton player shared one of modern day’s most fierce rivalry with India’s two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, with the pair producing several thrilling contests over the years. Marin defeated Sindhu in the final of the Rio 2016 Olympics and again in the final of the 2018 World Championships.

The 32-year-old shuttler was set to feature in next month’s European Championships in Huelva, Spain, an event that was meant to mark her farewell on home soil. Marin retires with an illustrious record, having won world titles in 2014, 2015 and 2018, seven European crowns, and the Olympic gold at Rio 2016.

Her last competitive appearance came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a remarkable return after overcoming two anterior cruciate ligament tears in 2019 and 2021.

(With PTI inputs)