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In the latest BWF rankings update, Tai Tzu Ying has applied for ranking protection, indicating a break from international tournaments for at least three months, delaying her year-end retirement plans indefinitely.
Often dubbed the “uncrowned queen” of women’s singles, Tai Tzu Ying held the world’s top ranking for years but has yet to win a major championship gold medal. In 2017, during her peak, she opted to skip the World Championships to compete in the Universiade, securing the women’s singles title with ease. Since then, she has struggled to break through in events like the Olympics and World Championships, taking silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 World Championships.
Injuries have increasingly hindered her career. After withdrawing from several tournaments this season due to a knee issue, including the Japan Open and Chinese Taipei Open, her latest appearance at the China Open ended in a first-round exit.
Notably, Tai Tzu Ying has consistently hinted at retirement since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. At the start of this year, she announced plans to retire by year’s end but seems reluctant to leave, now opting for ranking protection.
Taipei reporters are as uncertain as fans. When asked if her year-end retirement plans will change, her coach Lai Jian Cheng refrained from a direct answer, suggesting her main focus is healing. Lai added that only once she is fully recovered will further decisions be made, including the possibility of one final international match.
At September’s Chinese Taipei Open, Tai Tzu Ying addressed a retirement inquiry with slight frustration, stating, “I’ve said it many times; I’m not lying. I won’t be here next year.” If her plans remain unchanged, her first-round exit at the China Open on September 18 could mark the end of her career.
According to BWF rules, players in the top 32 can apply for ranking protection due to injury or other reasons, allowing them to skip events without penalty. Upon their return, they may enter higher-tier tournaments but will not be seeded. Protection periods range from three to twelve months.
After applying for ranking protection, Tai Tzu Ying will skip the upcoming Kumamoto Masters and China Masters. She also lacks the points to qualify for the year-end BWF World Tour Finals, indicating a potential return no sooner than February.
