PV Sindhu Shares Memories and Respect in Tribute to Retiring Carolina Marin
PV Sindhu honors Carolina Marin, recalling rivalry and enduring friendship.
Following the retirement announcement of Spanish badminton legend Carolina Marin, her long-time rival and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu shared a touching tribute, reflecting on a rivalry that evolved into mutual respect and enduring friendship.
Marin, a Rio Olympic gold medallist and three-time World Champion, announced her retirement on Thursday, citing ongoing complications from a severe knee injury sustained at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite her injury struggles, she made remarkable comebacks, reaching a fourth World Championships final and nearly securing an Olympic final berth in 2024. Her dramatic semifinal at Paris 2024, where she collapsed in pain while leading He Bing Jiao, marked her final bow on the world stage.
Sindhu recalled their first meeting as teenagers in the Maldives, which marked the beginning of a rivalry that spanned multiple high-stakes tournaments. “Some rivals become part of your journey forever. Carolina was one of them. We first played each other when we were 15 or 16 years old, and from then on, we shared so many battles,” Sindhu wrote on Instagram.
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The two had their share of intense on-court moments, including a verbal spat during the 2023 Denmark Open semifinal that earned both players yellow cards from the chair umpire. Sindhu reflected candidly: “To be honest, you were also a complete pain on court. The constant shouting, the intensity, the little tricks—they would get to anyone. But your skill, speed, and fighting spirit were second to none.”
Beyond competition, Sindhu highlighted the friendship that grew over time. “A few months later, we sat across from each other over coffee in Madrid, talking and laughing, and in that moment there was nothing but respect. That’s the Carolina I’ll always remember,” she wrote. She also praised their generation for elevating women’s singles badminton, calling it a “special place to compete in” that may never be seen again.
Concluding her tribute, Sindhu expressed gratitude for the battles, lessons, and friendship shared over the years. “Thank you for every battle, every lesson, and most of all, the friendship. I wish you the happiest retirement, Carolina. Badminton will miss you. And so will I,” she said.
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