Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal has confirmed her separation from fellow player Parupalli Kashyap through a heartfelt message shared with her followers. The couple, who had been together for over a decade and married in 2018, had long been seen as one of Indian sports’ most supportive pairs.

In her note, Saina thanked well-wishers for their support and clarified that the decision was mutual and made with respect. “Sometimes, even with all the shared history and love, people grow in different directions,” she wrote. The message was simple, sincere, and showed no sign of bitterness—just two people choosing to part ways while honouring the journey they shared.

Saina and Kashyap met through their shared passion for badminton. Training under the same coach, their friendship grew stronger over the years, eventually turning into love. Their marriage was celebrated quietly with close family and friends in attendance. Fans had admired how they supported each other through tough matches, injuries, and personal milestones.

While rumours of a rift had been circulating for a while, both had remained silent—choosing privacy over public speculation. With this confirmation, Saina has asked for time and space to move forward.

The focus now, she says, will be on healing and continuing her professional and personal journey. Supporters have flooded social media with kind words and respect for the maturity both athletes have shown during this emotional time.