Saina Nehwal is a name synonymous with badminton excellence in India and across the globe. As a former World No. 1, Nehwal has carved a niche for herself in the annals of badminton history with her indomitable spirit, remarkable achievements, and a plethora of international titles under her belt.
Here you will know Saina Nehwal’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, husband, career overview, and more.
Saina Nehwal’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Saina Nehwal |
| Date of Birth | 17 March 1990 |
| Age | 35 |
| Education | Campus School, Hisar; Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium training program; no college degree reported |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2006 |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Salary | Approx. ₹4–5 crore per year |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| @nehwalsaina | |
| @NSaina |
Early Career
Born in Hisar, Haryana, Saina moved with her family to Hyderabad at age five. Exposed to badminton through her parents—both former state-level players—she gravitated toward the court as a way to bridge language barriers in her new city.
At eight, coach Nani Prasad Rao spotted her natural footwork and encouraged formal training, a commitment her parents supported by travelling over 50 km daily to the Gopichand Badminton Academy.
By 2005, she had already claimed her first international prize at an Asian Satellite tournament. The following year, she became the youngest Asian and first Indian woman to win a four-star Philippines Open, kicking off a string of national junior titles.
In 2008, at 18, she captured the World Junior Badminton Championships crown—the first ever by an Indian—solidifying her status as the country’s most promising young shuttler.
Professional Career
Saina burst onto the senior global scene with back-to-back Grand Prix and Superseries titles. In 2009, she became the first Indian woman to win a BWF Superseries event at the Indonesia Open. A bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games was followed by a historic gold in Delhi, making her the first Indian woman to top the singles podium in Commonwealth history.
Her Olympic breakthrough came at London 2012, where she claimed bronze—the first Olympic badminton medal by an Indian. Over the next decade she amassed 24 international titles, including four Superseries Premier crowns, and reached the All England final in 2015.
RELATED ARTICLES
That year she ascended to world No. 1, the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to do so in singles. Civil awards such as the Padma Bhushan and Khel Ratna reflected her impact in elevating badminton’s profile across India.
Even as injuries slowed her tour schedule in 2016–17, she made a stirring return to form with two Commonwealth Games golds in 2018 and a team bronze at the Uber Cup.
Husband
Saina Nehwal’s husband is Parupalli Kashyap, a fellow professional badminton player. The couple tied the knot on December 14, 2018, in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends.
Saina Nehwal’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Saina Nehwal’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2018 | ₹16.54 crore |
| 2019 | ₹3 crore |
| 2022 | ₹5 crore |
| 2025 | US $300,000 (salary) |
Endorsements
Saina’s current roster of partners includes badminton-gear leader Yonex and Olympic Gold Quest, along with energy and wellness brands such as BPCL. Earlier in her career she endorsed Herbalife, Star Sports, Bajaj No Marks and others.
These partnerships leverage her high-impact court performances and off-court charisma to create signature product lines and social-media campaigns that resonate with young athletes across India.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 680 |
| Wins | 446 |
| Losses | 234 |
| International Titles | 24 |
| Superseries Titles | 10 |
| Grand Prix/Grand Prix Gold | 9 |
| Olympic Medals | 1 bronze |
| Doubles & Mixed Doubles Wins | 11 |
FAQs
1. What was Saina Nehwal’s career-high BWF ranking and when did she achieve it?
She reached world No. 1 on 2 April 2015, becoming the only female Indian and second Indian overall to top the BWF singles rankings, following Prakash Padukone’s achievement.
2. How many international titles has Nehwal won in her career?
She has won 24 international titles, including ten Superseries events and multiple Grand Prix Gold trophies, making her one of India’s most successful and decorated badminton players.
3. Which Olympic medal did Saina Nehwal win?
She won the women’s singles bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Indian badminton player ever to claim an Olympic medal and inspiring a new generation of shuttlers.
4. Who have been the significant coaches in Nehwal’s career?
She began under coach Nani Prasad Rao at Pullela Gopichand Academy. Later she trained with SM Arif and then Pullela Gopichand until 2014. Currently coach U Vimal Kumar guides her sessions.
5. Who is Saina Nehwal married to?
She married fellow Indian badminton player Parupalli Kashyap on 14 December 2018 in a private ceremony. The couple collaborates on training camps and supports youth badminton development initiatives together.
