B Sumeeth Reddy Retires from Badminton, Shifts Full Focus to Coaching

Indian doubles badminton specialist B Sumeeth Reddy has officially announced his retirement from professional play, drawing the curtain on a two-decade-long career filled with both triumphs and tribulations. The 33-year-old made the announcement on Sunday through an emotional social media post, saying, “RETIRED AND PROUD. Embracing the next chapter with gratitude and excitement. I thank my family, friends and well wishers for all the support.”

A key member of India’s 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medal-winning mixed team, Sumeeth Reddy was known for his resilience on and off the court. Over the years, he partnered with Manu Attri in men’s doubles — the duo reached a career-high world ranking of 17, won the 2016 South Asian Games gold, and represented India at the Rio 2016 Olympics. He also competed in the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games and won notable titles including the 2015 Mexico City Grand Prix and 2016 Canada Open.

Sumeeth also formed successful mixed doubles pairings, including with his wife N. Sikki Reddy and veteran Ashwini Ponnappa, with whom he finished runner-up at the 2017 Syed Modi International.

Reflecting on his decision, Sumeeth wrote, “Even though at World Rank 25, I have started to believe that the best phase of my career is already behind me. Also, despite a few other circumstances, I have stepped down from my professional playing career.”

Sumeeth’s journey was not without setbacks. He revealed that early in his career, he was diagnosed with spinal bone degeneration, and doctors had advised him to quit sports altogether due to fears of lower body paralysis. “I was 20, left with no job and an uncertain body which needed wall support to walk,” he recalled. With guidance from coach Pullela Gopichand, Sumeeth shifted focus to doubles and went on to win his first National Championship in 2012.

“The shocking pain would carry with me for the next few years. As my back would suddenly have no strength to hold my upper body,” he wrote, revealing the immense physical challenges he endured.

Now fully transitioning into coaching, Sumeeth is already a part of India’s national coaching panel and oversees the development of the women’s doubles team. He also runs the Sikki Sumeeth Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, founded in 2021.

As he steps into this new chapter, Sumeeth Reddy leaves behind a legacy defined by perseverance and passion, and looks ahead to nurturing the next generation of Indian badminton talent.