There was a certain electricity in the air at Reppp, Mehrauli—one of those evenings where sport, style, and personality converged with effortless ease. At the Regalia CXO Pickleball League, the energy found its high point as Saina Nehwal stepped onto the court, momentarily trading her badminton racket for a pickleball paddle.
Known for her intensity and precision, Saina brought an unmistakable competitive spirit to the game—yet there was also a visible lightness to her presence, a willingness to embrace a new rhythm. Alongside her, RJ Anmol infused the evening with an easy charm, his enthusiasm for the league translating into an experience that felt both intimate and electric.
Set within the vibrant surrounds of Reppp, the evening wasn’t just about sport—it was about community, conversation, and the evolving culture of experiential events in the capital.
Amid the action, a candid conversation unfolded between Saina and Seema Dhawan, offering a rare, unguarded glimpse into the athlete’s journey beyond the court. When asked about her decision to retire, Saina spoke with quiet honesty. “I took retirement because I had arthritis in my right knee. I played for so many years and I had cartilage degeneration,” she shared, acknowledging the physical toll behind the choice.
The emotional weight of that decision lingered in her words. “Who wants to leave their sport? Your fans are very sad… it took me a lot of time to get out of it.” For an athlete who had spent over a decade in the world’s top rankings, the transition was anything but easy. “One day you have to accept that your difficult days have come. It hurts, but you cannot practice at that level. You have to practice for 8–9 hours and you won’t be able to do that.”
She reflected on the mindset that defined her career—the refusal to settle. “When you have been in the top 10 for 12 years at such a high level, you don’t even have the habit of playing at a normal level. You need to upgrade more. You don’t want to compromise on anything less.”
The conversation then turned to her association with the CXO Pickleball League—a collaboration that, at first glance, brings together two very different worlds. Saina was quick to credit Anmol’s vision. “I would like to thank Anmol. He called me for CXO Pickleball. He asked if I would be a part of the league. I didn’t think so initially, but we met during an interview.”
What followed was a growing admiration for the scale and intent behind the initiative. “He started the league so soon. He is also supporting private sports. I saw his first event in Mumbai—it was a big hit. Then another one, and now Delhi. He has a passion to make the league successful. He works day and night for that.”
For Saina, the decision to come on board felt instinctive. “I thought I should support him as a sports person. I like sports a lot. I like watching matches. After badminton, I immediately joined CXO Pickleball. I like being a part of sports.”
On their partnership, she was candid yet assured. “I salute Anmol. He takes care of everything. I don’t have any problem. My job is to play—I think I am an expert, I do it well. Our combination is very good.”
Looking ahead, the vision is expansive. “We will take the league to a couple of cities. He has announced the finale in Goa. I am looking forward to such a beautiful experience,” she said, hinting at the growing footprint of the league across India.
And then, in a moment that felt both grounded and inspiring, she turned her attention to the next generation. “Work hard. Believe in yourself. Be disciplined. Keep listening to your parents and teachers—they are the best people around you.”
As the evening unfolded under the Mehrauli sky, what remained wasn’t just the thrill of the game, but the quiet resonance of that journey—from relentless discipline to rediscovering joy in sport. With Saina Nehwal at its centre, pickleball didn’t just feel like a trend—it felt like a new chapter, unfolding with purpose and possibility.
