The woman who famously broke a billion Indian hearts ten years ago by defeating PV Sindhu in the Rio Olympics final has officially hung up her racket. Spanish badminton legend Carolina Marin announced her retirement on Thursday through an emotional Instagram video, ending a glorious 17-year career at the age of just 32.

Marin’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Along with her Olympic Gold, she secured three World Championship titles (2014, 2015, 2018) and dominated Europe with seven championship wins. For PV Sindhu, Marin remained the ultimate hurdle on the court, leading their head-to-head record 12-6. Despite their fierce on-court rivalry, the two shared a deep bond of friendship off the court, a fact often highlighted by the Indian ace herself.

The decision to retire early was fueled by a recurring knee injury that forced her to withdraw mid-match during the Paris Olympics semifinals. Unable to return to her peak physical form, the Spanish champion decided it was time to move on. “My journey on the badminton court ends here. It has been a fantastic trip,” Marin stated, adding that she now aims to give back to society the lessons and love she received from the sport.