--- title: "Carolina Marín discusses friendship and rivalry on International Friendship Day in Huelva, Spain; Decade-long rivalry-friendship with PV Sindhu" sdDatePublished: "2026-07-30T13:48:00Z" source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/international-friendship-day-carolina-marin-rivalry-mcenroe-badminton" topics: - name: "badminton" identifier: "medtop:20000847" - name: "people" identifier: "medtop:20000502" - name: "Olympic Games" identifier: "medtop:20001177" - name: "sports medal and trophy" identifier: "medtop:20001303" locations: - "Poland" - "Huelva" - "Kazan" - "Indonesia" - "Denmark" - "Ukraine" - "Saarbrücken" - "La Roche-sur-Yon" - "Kyiv" - "Spain" - "Île-de-France" - "Hovedstaden" - "China" - "Germany" - "India" - "Russia" - "Kolding" - "Rio de Janeiro" - "France" - "Ajalvir" - "Kraków" - "Brazil" - "Nanjing" --- Carolina Marín discusses friendship and rivalry on International Friendship Day in Huelva, Spain; Decade-long rivalry-friendship with PV Sindhu International Friendship Day: Carolina Marín: What friendship and rivalry mean to the 'John McEnroe' of badminton International Friendship Day: Carolina Marín: What friendship and rivalry mean to the 'John McEnroe' of badminton Spanish badminton legend Carolina Marín talks to Olympics.com about having friends and rivals on the court to celebrate Friendship Day 2026, 30 July. Carolina Marín is one of Spanish sport's biggest stars. Belonging to the same generation as Pau Gasol , Ona Carbonell , and Rafael Nadal , the Rio 2016 Olympic badminton champion broke the hearts of Spanish fans when she announced her retirement earlier this year. Often compared to Nadal due to some similarities between the racket sports, Marín acknowledges that - at least in her early days - she was nothing like him. "They used to call me 'McEnroe' because I broke quite a few rackets - I couldn't tell you exactly how many, but certainly a fair few," Marín said in an interview with Olympics.com shortly after announcing her retirement, referring to the US men's tennis legend. "I would let out the anger I felt while playing and give it my all, but in the end, I’d wind up breaking rackets," she continued. Everything changed when, aged 14, she was invited to train at the High-Performance Centre in Madrid. "I told myself, 'Carolina, this can't go on; you have to change this. This image is really bad, and ultimately, I don't want people thinking that's the kind of person you are.'" "Since then, I haven't broken a racket out of anger again." However, quitting racket-smashing didn't mean Marín had become a completely different person. The rage inherent in her "give-it-all" approach became a defining characteristic of her general play. Her rival in the Rio 2016 Olympic final, India's PV Sindhu , has witnessed the force of Marín's game firsthand. Over the last decade, they have forged a rivalry-friendship that reminded many of the dynamic between Nadal and Roger Federer . "We’ve managed to maintain a good relationship based on respect. No matter how much you want to beat the person on the other side of the net, there always has to be respect, because before being a rival, they are a person. "It’s true there’s been a lot of rivalry between us - because, in the end, you always want to win - but it’s a beautiful thing, and that’s what competition is all about. That’s where true players show their real character," Marín told Olympics.com regarding her relationship with Sindhu. And there is more to it than just what happens on the court. "Beyond the competition or the match itself, we talk; we ask about each other's families... We’ve spent a lot of time together because I spent several years competing in the Indian League," the Spaniard said. Carolina Marín exclusive after retirement: “I feel at peace” The Rio 2016 Olympic champion opens about her decision to step away from elite badminton: “It’s the best decision I could have made.” In this exclusive interview in her hometown of Huelva, the Spanish star reflects on her journey - from medals and victories to heartbreak and injuries - and what comes next. Carolina Marín, He Bing Jiao, and the tribute that moved the world at the Olympic Games Marín admits that, beyond just missing competition, she also misses her rivals. And Sindhu isn't the only rival-turned-friend she has gained throughout her career. It was at the Olympic Games that Marín experienced both the happiest and the toughest moments of her career. From the gold medal at Rio 2016 to the injury at Paris 2024 - sustained just as she was within reach of the medals - which ultimately marked her final action of the competition. Her opponent in that semi-final match was People's Republic of China's He Bingjiao . After Marín suffered another knee injury, she not only showed concern for the Spaniard on the court but, upon becoming the Olympic silver medalist, also chose to display a Spanish pin in Marín's honor. "Without a doubt, more than just a rival, I’ve truly gained a genuine friendship and a lifelong companion; I will carry that memory in my heart forever," Marín recalled. "When I saw the footage - well, aside from the fact that I was very emotional and couldn't stop crying given the situation - I stopped to think that I never would have imagined a rival and fellow athlete would remember me and want to dedicate that moment to me while standing on an Olympic podium," she added. "Even back home, I’ve often wondered if I would have been capable of doing something like that for a rival. The word 'thanks' wouldn't even begin to cover it," she asserted. What answer did she give herself? Would she have done it? "I’ll never know. It’s a question I’ve asked myself many times but will never be able to answer, because ultimately, you have to be in that moment. You have to live it. I’m a very spontaneous person, so... I just don't know," Marín admitted. Regardless of the unanswered questions left by her professional career, Marín built a legacy defined by sporting success, lessons learned through adversity, and a unique understanding of rivalry in sport. "I would love for Carolina Marín to be remembered for her value, both as an athlete on the court and as a person off it," she explained. And without a doubt, her rivals - and the way they have become friends - exemplify the values ​​she sought to promote both on and off the court. That is the very place where she - the player who became the 'McEnroe' of badminton - is missed by those on the other side of the net. He Bing Jiao (CHN) v Carolina Marin (ESP) - Women's Singles Semifinal | Badminton | Olympic Games Paris 2024 The Women's Singles Semifinal took place on 04 2024 at La Chapelle Arena. Bing Jiao He (CHN) advanced to the final, when Carolina Marin (ESP) retired from the match due to an injury. Carolina Marín's Honours · Badminton 🥇 Gold in Rio 2016 🥇 Gold in Copenhagen 2014 🥇 Gold in Jakarta 2015 🥇 Gold in Nanjing 2018 🥈 Silver in Copenhagen 2023 🥇 Gold in Kazan 2014 🥇 Gold in La Roche-sur-Yon 2016 🥇 Gold in Kolding 2017 🥇 Gold in Huelva 2018 🥇 Gold in Kyiv 2021 🥇 Gold in Madrid 2022 🥇 Gold in Kraków 2023* 🥇 Gold in Saarbrücken 2024 *The badminton tournament at the 2023 European Games held European Championship status. Carolina Marín's Olympic gold at Rio 2016: Relive the final on video Badminton: Women's Singles Gold Match | Rio 2016 Replays Carolina Marin (ESP) 2 - 1 P.V. Sindhu (IND)