After retiring, Tai Tzu-ying wants to play “for the rest of his life” and also wants to teach his nephew to play ball

During a recent fan meeting, Taiwan’s badminton star Tai Tzu-ying made a rare appearance with her hair down, touching the hearts of her fans. However, the 30-year-old athlete, who is nearing retirement, admitted that while she has thoughts about her future, she still cherishes her time on the court. “I feel like I want to ‘let loose’ for a while, but I don’t plan to say goodbye to badminton completely. I’d love to keep running around and even teach my nephew, ‘Da Xia,’ how to play.”

Tai, who has been dealing with knee injuries this year, revealed that she is still figuring out her post-retirement plans but is inclined to take a year off to rest. “Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how tough this journey has been. I want to enjoy my retirement, even if it means being a bit bored for a while,” she shared. Her mother often reminds her that she is still young and should stay active, but Tai is keen on embracing the quieter moments.

While she hasn’t fully mapped out the next steps after retirement, Tai mentioned that she has received numerous speaking invitations from teams, schools, and companies. Although public speaking isn’t her strong suit, she is open to stepping out of her comfort zone. “Every stage in life brings different challenges. I might have thoughts worth sharing, and while I don’t claim they are right, having options is important. First, I need to take that initial step,” she explained.

Although she plans to retire from competitive play, Tai expressed her desire to continue playing badminton, provided she gets her injuries sorted out. “I want to keep running around,” she joked, adding that she looks forward to teaching her sister’s older son, ‘Da Xia,’ and potentially collaborating with local badminton venues. “I’m not worried about completely leaving the sport; if someone invites me, I’m more than willing to join.”

At the fan meeting, a display showcased her achievements through various player IDs and competition attire, with her family coming together from Kaohsiung to Taipei to support her during this significant moment. Tai shared that her mother had been instrumental in preserving her memorabilia, giving a thumbs up and saying, “My Virgo mom is amazing! I just hand her everything, and she organizes it all.”