Bengaluru's Ashwini Ponnappa has retired from her Olympic career following her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. As a three-time Olympian, she recognizes the significant expectations and pressure faced by athletes and emphasizes the importance of preparing for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Her departure signifies a major moment for Indian badminton, encapsulating her over fifteen years of representing India on the international stage.

When Ashwini Ponnappa, a Bengaluru native and prominent Indian badminton player, bid farewell to her Olympic journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the nation expressed sympathy for the athlete. Having carried India's aspirations in international competitions for more than fifteen years, the three-time Olympian reflected on the weight of expectations and pressure endured by athletes at each Olympics. Encouraging a positive outlook, Ashwini remarked, "It's crucial to manage expectations and pressure, particularly as we navigate towards the Los Angeles 2028 preparations."

Ashwini, who hails from Bengaluru, admires the immense fan support enjoyed by sports like hockey, football, and cricket in the city, while affirming her deep-rooted passion for badminton. Providing guidance to aspiring young athletes, she emphasizes the significance of balancing education with sports. "Education should complement sports endeavors as there are no assurances in sports. Prioritizing education ensures a fallback if one's sporting pursuits don't go as intended," she advises.

Ashwini also shared her admiration for wrestler Vinesh Phogat and commiserated about the disappointment surrounding Vinesh's unfortunate exit from the competition.Ashwini expresses empathy towards Vinesh, acknowledging her hard work and impressive journey as an athlete. She emphasizes the importance of learning from Vinesh's resilience and suggests that staying off social media can help athletes maintain a strong mental state and avoid external pressure during international events like the Olympics. Ashwini reflects on the negativity on social media during the Paris Olympics and advises that not everyone can handle criticism well. She stresses the significance of proper funding and support for athletes, emphasizing the need for coaches and staff to nurture players' confidence in addition to their skills. Ashwini recognizes the intense pressure experienced by athletes during the Olympics and highlights the delicate balance between hope and pressure, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations.