TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese badminton ace Tai Tzu-ying (戴資穎) shared her aspirations beyond the court on Thursday (March 6), highlighting the enduring spirit she wishes to impart to others. Originally set to retire last year, Tai remains in rehabilitation following knee surgery, leaving fans eagerly anticipating her next moves in the sport.
After a long hiatus from public appearances, Tai seemed in good spirits at the "Yingcredible Career - Tai Tzu Ying Tribute Exhibition" (戴資穎選手生涯致敬特展) event earlier that day. She wore longer hair, and embraced a homebound lifestyle. She reiterated her belief that while athletes eventually leave the arena, their spirit endures.
At the exhibition held at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (松山文創園區), Tai did not directly respond to questions regarding speculation about her retirement, as she had announced plans to retire by the end of last year but has since taken a break after the China Open last September and applied for a protected ranking last October.
The exhibition featured her equipment and trophies, allowing fans to reminisce about her illustrious career. She expressed surprise and emotion at seeing her preserved memorabilia, recalling her debut at the Singapore Open in 2010 when she was just 16.