Is it the end of their 7-year relationship?
1. Official Announcement
On the night of July 13, 2025, Saina Nehwal took to Instagram to announce the end of her marriage to Parupalli Kashyap. In her heartfelt statement, she shared:
“Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration…we have decided to part ways. We’re choosing peace, growth, and healing for ourselves and each other… Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time.”
2. Background & Relationship Timeline
The duo first crossed paths in 1997 at the prestigious Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, marking nearly 28 years of
3. Collaborative On-Court Journey
Both rising stars in Indian badminton, Saina and Kashyap trained side-by-side at the Gopichand Academy. Post-marriage, Kashyap transitioned from peer to coach, guiding Saina through comebacks following injuries. Notably, their synergy was on display during the 2019 National Championships, where Saina overcame in-form PV Sindhu an achievement attributed to Kashyap’s strategic coaching.
4. Individual Achievements
Individually, both have a decorated legacy:
Saina Nehwal: India’s first Olympic badminton medalist (bronze, London 2012), former world No.1, 24 international titles, and awards like the Padma Bhushan and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna .
Parupalli Kashyap: Commonwealth Games gold medalist (2014), former world No.6, first Indian male in Olympic badminton quarter-finals (2012), and now an emerging coach after retiring in 2024.
5. Health, Career Status & Future Plans
Saina hasn’t competed professionally since her first-round exit at the Singapore Open in June 2023. She has publicly shared her struggle with arthritis and indicated the possibility of retiring by the end of 2025.
Kashyap, meanwhile, has taken on a full-time role in coaching, working at Gopichand Academy since early 2024.
6. The Amicable Path Ahead
Saina emphasized that their decision to separate was mutual and rooted in their individual well-being: peace, growth, and healing. Both have respectfully requested privacy as they embark on this new chapter each continuing their journey in the badminton world: Saina contemplating her final year on court and Kashyap focusing on mentoring the next generation