'Life Without Alarm Clocks'! Tai Tzu Ying Calls Time On Illustrious Career Due To...
Tai Tzu-ying, the Taiwanese badminton icon, has officially announced her retirement from the sport, marking the end of an era. The announcement, made via social media on Friday, November 7, 2025, brings to a close a career that has seen her achieve unprecedented success and captivate fans worldwide with her unique and deceptive playing style.
The 31-year-old badminton star, often hailed as the "Queen of Deception", cited persistent injuries as the primary reason for her decision. "A beautiful chapter has come to an end," Tai wrote, expressing her gratitude to badminton for everything it had given her.
Tai has been struggling with injuries, particularly a knee problem, since 2024. She competed in the Paris Olympics in 2024 while managing the injury, but was eliminated in the group stage. In December 2024, she underwent surgery on her left knee to address the long-standing issue. While the surgery was successful, the rehabilitation process has been extensive, and Tai has been unable to return to the international circuit.
"Before the (Paris) Olympics, I wasn't sure if my injured foot would allow me to compete, but I gave it my all," Tai said. "Eventually, my injuries forced me to leave the court. I couldn't end my career the way I had hoped, and it took me a while to come to terms with that".
In her announcement, Tai mentioned that she has not yet decided on her future plans but looks forward to "enjoying a life without alarm clocks". In 2024, she expressed a desire to travel throughout Taiwan and potentially start a family.
Tai's career is decorated with numerous accolades. She reached the World No. 1 ranking in December 2016 at the age of 22. She also holds the record for the longest consecutive reign as world number one, with 214 weeks in the top spot. Her trophy cabinet includes a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, gold medals at the 2017 Summer Universiade and the 2018 Asian Games, and a record four BWF Super Series Finals/World Tour Finals titles. She is also a three-time All England Open champion and a three-time Asian Champion.
Throughout her career, Tai has achieved 532 wins and suffered 190 losses. She has inspired a generation of badminton players with her extraordinary talent, dedication, and sportsmanship.
While her absence from the court will be felt deeply by fans, Tai's legacy as one of the greatest badminton players of all time is secure. Her unique style, characterized by deceptive shots and unpredictable movements, has revolutionized the game and left an indelible mark on the sport. As she steps away from professional badminton, the world celebrates her remarkable achievements and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.
