Minutes after being knocked out of Rio 2016 after losing to Maria Ulitina, the world number 61, Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal conceded that she was not playing to her optimum potential because of an inflammation in her right knee.
In a tweet posted by journalist V. Krishnaswamy after her defeat in the group stage match, the 26-year old Saina was quoted as saying that the inflammation hindered her movement, forcing her to wear a strap for the entirety of the game.
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In one of the biggest upsets of Rio 2016, the world number 5 and Bronze medallist in the previous Olympics, Saina lost to Ulitina 21-18 21-19 in the group G match. The Indian led at the interval during both the games, but could not maintain her momentum thereafter, losing to the lanky Ulitina, who used her height and reach to good effect.
It also emerged that she had been taking treatment for the same for about a week before her departure to Brazil for the event.
Saina has been hampered by injuries in the last twelve months or so, and while victory in the Australian Open in June raised hopes of a second Olympics medal for the Indian, her competing in full fitness in Brazil remained a sort of question mark. Despite that, most expected her to progress to the next round. But, it wasn’t to be the case and she will now head back home with her worst Olympic showing ever.
