About Saina
Attacking · all-court control
- 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal, women's singles, New Delhi (first Indian to win CWG singles gold)
- 2012 London Olympics bronze medal — India's first-ever Olympic badminton medal
- 2015 BWF World Championships silver medal, Jakarta (first Indian woman in WC final)
- 2015 April: reached BWF World No. 1 ranking — first Indian woman and only second Indian ever (after Prakash Padukone)
- 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal, women's singles, Gold Coast (defeated PV Sindhu in final; first Indian to win two CWG singles golds)
- 2016 Rio Olympics — third consecutive Olympics appearance; conferred Padma Bhushan (India's third-highest civilian honour)
- Retired January 2026 after arthritis forced end to competition; last match at 2023 Singapore Open
How Saina plays
Frames that match Saina's style
Ranked by how closely each frame's balance and flex match the profile above — not by who's sponsored to use them. 100% = an exact fit for the style. Grouped by tier so you can pick at your own level.
Pro tier
Intermediate tier
Their racquet
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Pro
Even Balance
·Stiff
·Advanced
See spec page
Step down — Saina's racquet at every tier
Saina Nehwal's Yonex Arcsaber 11 Pro is a pro-tier signature — built for an elite swing. Here is that same chassis stepped through each tier, so an intermediate or club player can buy into the line at the level they'll actually enjoy.
Pro tier
Step-down variant
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Tour
Even Balance
·Stiff
·Intermediate-Advanced
Same racquet, more accessible tier
Cross-brand match
Victor Auraspeed 100 X Ultra
Even Balance
·Stiff
·Advanced
Same style, pro-grade alternative
Cross-brand match
Li-Ning Halbertec 7000
Even Balance
·Medium
·Advanced
Same style, pro-grade alternative
Intermediate tier
Cross-brand match
Victor Brave Sword 12
Even Balance
·Medium
·Intermediate
Same style, more accessible tier
Cross-brand match
Babolat Satelite Origin
Even Balance
·Medium
·Intermediate
Same style, more accessible tier
Cross-brand match
Babolat X Feel Origin
Even Balance
·Medium
·Intermediate
Same style, more accessible tier
Beginner tier
Step-down variant
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Play
Even Balance
·Medium
·Beginner-Intermediate
Same racquet, more accessible tier
Cross-brand match
Carlton Vapour Trail 85 Sunstorm
Even Balance
·Medium
·Beginner-Intermediate
Same style, more accessible tier
Cross-brand match
Carlton Velocitex V 400
Even Balance
·Medium
·Beginner-Intermediate
Same style, more accessible tier