In a recent interview, Taiwanese badminton star Tai Tzu-ying, who is set to retire at the end of the year, kicked off her quest for a third consecutive title at the Taipei Open. Facing 19-year-old Indian player Tanya Hemanth, currently ranked 73rd in the world, Tai made quick work of the match, winning 21-11, 21-10 in just 27 minutes. This victory marks her impressive 21-match winning streak across five tournaments.
At 30 years old, Tai has claimed the Taipei title five times, with her first win dating back to 2012. Since securing her second title in 2016, she has consistently won every time she has competed in the Taipei Open, including wins in 2018, 2022, and last year, entering this year’s competition with a remarkable 20-match winning streak.
Despite competing during a midday session on a weekday, a substantial crowd of fans came to support her. With a knee brace on her left knee and bandaging on her right, Tai openly shared that had this event not been in Taiwan, she might not have participated. She expressed her hope to showcase her skills in front of her fans on the island before her retirement.
“I chose to compete because many people cannot travel abroad for various reasons,” she explained. “I hope those who can take a day off will come to watch me play.” With a playful smile, she added, “But they first need to get tickets!”
Currently ranked third in the world, Tai reinforced her decision to retire this year. When asked about it again during the interview, her agitation was clear as she replied, “I’ve said it many times; I’m not lying.” She further stated, “I won’t be coming back next year,” reiterating her commitment to stepping away from the sport.
Returning to the Taipei Arena after five years, Tai expressed her feelings about the venue’s atmosphere and audience size, noting that the conditions require some adjustment. “I felt the local crowd’s enthusiasm today,” she said. “Even when I lost three consecutive points, they cheered me on and prompted me to avoid further mistakes.”
