Anna 
B Sumeeth Reddy, the accomplished Indian badminton player who represented India at the Rio 2016 Olympics and won a silver medal in the mixed team event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, has announced his retirement from professional badminton. The 33-year-old made the announcement on social media on Sunday, stating he will now focus on coaching.
Reddy shared his decision on Instagram, writing: “Retired and proud. Embracing the next chapter with gratitude and excitement. I thank my family, friends, and well-wishers for all the support.”
A Career of Triumphs and Challenges
Throughout his career, Reddy built a strong reputation as a doubles specialist. Although he was a junior India No. 1 in singles, his singles career was cut short due to spinal bone degeneration, a condition that once threatened to end his badminton journey entirely.
At just 20, Reddy faced the possibility of paralysis, with doctors advising him to quit the sport. “I had no job and needed wall support to walk. The only option was to bear the pain, continue rehab, and hope for the best,” he recalled.
It was then that Pullela Gopichand advised him to shift to doubles, which proved to be a pivotal moment in Reddy’s career. He went on to win his first national title in 2012 and achieved his highest rank of 17th in men’s doubles in 2015, partnering with Manu Attri. The pair also represented India at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Reddy and Attri earned titles at the Mexico City Grand Prix 2015 and Canada Open 2016 on the BWF World Tour. Additionally, Reddy won a men’s team bronze at the 2016 Asia Team Championships.
Partnering with His Wife and Coaching Ambitions
In mixed doubles, Reddy played with several partners, including his wife N. Sikki Reddy. Together, they were ranked 25th in the mixed doubles world rankings at the time of his retirement. His last professional appearance was at the 2024 Syed Modi International in December.
Looking ahead, Reddy has shifted his focus to coaching. Along with his wife, he founded the Sikki Sumeeth Badminton Academy in Hyderabad in 2021. He is also part of India’s national coaching setup, specifically working with women’s doubles players.
“I aim to contribute to making India a powerhouse in world badminton,” he said, reflecting on his future aspirations.
With a career marked by perseverance and success, Reddy is now poised to inspire the next generation of badminton players through coaching.
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