Carolina Marín, the greatest Spanish badminton player in history, recently announced her retirement from professional sports. She was the guest on the popular Spanish talk show El Hormiguero on Monday, where she reflected on her decision and her career.
Marín, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, is the only European player to have consistently challenged the traditional Asian dominance in the sport. In a heartfelt interview with host Pablo Motos, she expressed peace with her choice.
Pablo Motos: Are you at peace with this decision?
Carolina Marín: I am very calm and at peace. It is the best decision I could have made in my entire sports career. Right now, I am living a very happy stage. I am sad I could not retire the way I wanted—on the court—but if I had pushed myself to that point, I would not have had good health for the rest of my life.
Marín revealed she underwent another surgery in February, highlighting the hidden struggles behind athletic success. “People see the podium and the victories, but there are many tears shed behind that, and it is valued very little,” she said.
Now pain-free, Marín emphasized that while she will never be able to squat again, she has avoided needing a knee prosthesis for the rest of her life. At 32, she looks forward to a healthy future. She also admitted that mentally accepting the end was difficult, and she felt very alone at times. The first people she told about her retirement were her team and her mother.
When asked if she would play badminton recreationally, she replied, “Right now I need to disconnect from badminton and connect with myself. I started playing at age eight, but I don’t feel I missed out—I chose to dedicate my life to it.” What she will miss most, she said, is the adrenaline: “The first point in a final, the crowd cheering… I will miss that immensely.”
On the subject of retirement support for athletes, Marín noted that athletes are often not well cared for after their careers end. She continues to train daily to maintain muscle and enjoys staying active. As for the future, she said, “I have an idea, but I am trying not to think too much about it and focus on the present.”