Bengaluru's Ashwini Ponnappa retires from her Olympic career following her participation in the Paris Olympics 2024. As a three-time Olympian, she recognized the pressure and expectations faced by athletes, emphasizing the need for preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Her farewell marks a significant moment for Indian badminton, symbolizing her more than fifteen years of representing India globally. Raised in Bengaluru, Ashwini, a prominent Indian badminton player, bid farewell to her Olympic journey at the Paris Olympics 2024, evoking sympathy from the nation. Over the past decade and a half, the three-time Olympian has carried the hopes of India on the international stage. Despite the high expectations at each Olympic Games, Ashwini remains optimistic about the future and emphasizes the importance of handling pressure and expectations. She urges young athletes to prioritize education alongside their sporting pursuits, highlighting the ability to fall back on education if their sports career does not unfold as planned. Additionally, while expressing admiration for Vinesh Phogat, Ashwini also reflected on Vinesh's unexpected elimination from the competition.I missed the chance to connect with her, but I believe her dreams would have been shattered. I can relate to Vinesh completely. She is an athlete who dedicatedly worked and fought her way to the final. Her journey has been remarkable, and there is a lot to learn from her," says Ashwini.

Ashwini emphasizes that handling social media criticism varies from person to person. She suggests that to maintain a strong mental state and avoid unnecessary pressure during international events like the Olympics, it's best to steer clear of social media. Ashwini reflects on her experience during the Paris Olympics, where she faced negative criticism on social media. She points out that while some individuals can brush off external criticism, not everyone can do so. She has learned from that experience.

Ashwini stresses the importance of proper allocation of government funding for sportspeople. She notes that not every player possesses high mental resilience and that coaches and staff need to focus on building players' confidence in addition to their skills.

Ashwini acknowledges the immense pressure on seasoned athletes during the Olympics and highlights the intertwined nature of hope and pressure. She emphasizes the importance of how one handles expectations.