Bengaluru's Ashwini Ponnappa announced her retirement from her Olympic career following her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. As a three-time Olympian, she highlighted the intense expectations and pressure faced by athletes, emphasizing the importance of preparation for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Her departure signifies a significant moment for Indian badminton, reflecting her fifteen years of representing India on the international stage.

Raised in Bengaluru, Ashwini, a prominent Indian badminton player, bid farewell to her Olympic journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics, garnering sympathy from the nation. Over the past fifteen years, the three-time Olympian has shouldered India's aspirations on the global platform. Ashwini mentioned, "There was considerable anticipation surrounding some events at the Olympics. As part of the Indian contingent, our goal was to surpass our previous performances. The pressure every athlete faces at each Olympic Games after four years is immense. Balancing hope and pressure is a delicate task. It's essential to manage expectations and now focus on preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics," expressing optimism.

Ashwini, who admires the fan support for sports like hockey, football, and cricket in Bengaluru, stressed the importance of education alongside sporting pursuits. Emphasizing the need for education, she advised aspiring athletes that having a strong academic foundation is crucial. She mentioned, "Education and sports should go hand-in-hand. Relying solely on sports is not a guarantee of success. Education can serve as a fallback if your athletic career doesn't unfold as planned."

Additionally, Ashwini shared her thoughts on Vinesh Phogat and her premature exit from the game, expressing admiration for the wrestler and acknowledging her unfortunate elimination.“I missed the opportunity to meet her, but I know her aspirations would have been crushed. I can relate to Vinesh completely. As an athlete who put in immense effort and fought her way to the final, her journey has been remarkable. There are valuable lessons to be learned from her,” Ashwini reflects. “Some individuals can handle criticism on social media, while others struggle.” Ashwini advises that to maintain a strong mental state and lessen external pressure during international events like the Olympics, it’s best to avoid social media. “During the Paris Olympics, I faced a lot of negative feedback from social media. While some can ignore such criticisms, not everyone can. I have learned from that experience,” she shares. Regarding athlete funding, Ashwini stresses the importance of channeling it effectively, understanding that not all players possess high levels of mental resilience. Coaches and support personnel should work on boosting players’ confidence in addition to improving their skills. The pressure on athletes during the Olympics is immense, with hope and expectations acting as both motivators and stressors. How athletes handle these aspects is crucial, as emphasized by Ashwini Ponnappa.