Tai Tzu-ying

Tai's career began when she was in elementary school, as she was influenced by her father who was a firefighter and the director of Kaohsiung city's badminton committee. Tai started playing badminton in the fourth or fifth grade of elementary school, and in the sixth grade, she played at the National ranking tournament, won the title in the second division, and earned the right to participate in the first division games. She was the youngest player to compete in the first division.{{cite web |title=羽球戴資穎奪冠 高雄鄉親觀戰歡聲雷動 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/11406/2671192 |website=United Daily News |date=29 August 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044728/https://udn.com/news/story/11406/2671192 |archive-date=1 March 2018 |language=zh}}

Tai made her debut in an international tournament in 2007 at the Vietnam International.{{cite web |title=戴资颖赢遍国羽四大高手 怪球神童成奥运大患 |url=https://sports.qq.com/a/20111029/000125.htm |website=QQ |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=18 March 2020 |language=zh}} In 2009, she won the silver medal at the Asian Junior Championships, losing the final match to Chen Xiaojia in straight games. She represented Kaohsiung City in the National Games and went on to the quarter-finals.{{cite web |title=亞青羽球賽 戴資穎摘銀 |url=http://www.twtimes.com.tw/index.php?page=news&nid=55746 |website=Taiwan Times |date=20 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531063706/http://www.twtimes.com.tw/index.php?page=news&nid=55746 |archive-date=31 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017 |language=zh}} Young Tai began to show her potential when she was 15 years old, as she was able to compete at the senior level and become runner-up at the Vietnam Open, a Grand Prix tournament.{{cite web |title=Badminton: Back-to-back win for Minh at Vietnam Open |url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/badminton-back-to-back-win-for-minh-at-vietnam-open-post13505.vnp |publisher=Vietnam+ |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=20 October 2024}} In December, Tai competed at the East Asian Games for Chinese Taipei, won a bronze medal in the women's singles, and helped the team reach the final, settling for a silver medal.

In 2010, she entered the big stage by competing in the Superseries event in Korea Open. In April, she participated at the World Junior Championships in Mexico but had to retire in the quarter-finals due to injury. In June, she experienced the most memorable thing during her career as a badminton player when she reached her first Superseries final on her birthday in Singapore Open. She started in the qualifying draw and went on to reach the final, which she lost to Saina Nehwal in straight games.{{cite web |first=Dev |last=Sukumar |title=One to Watch – Tai Tzu Ying |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2012/10/09/one-to-watch-tai-tzu-ying |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=9 October 2012 |access-date=18 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Saina Nehwal wins second Super Series title |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/saina-nehwal-wins-second-super-series-title/articleshow/6070225.cms |work=The Times of India |date=20 June 2010 |access-date=20 October 2024}}

File:2011 US Open Badminton 2733.jpg

In 2011, Tai made good progress by defeating the top-ranked player. She defeated Zhu Lin in the first round of the Australian Open, Wang Xin in the first round of Indonesia Open, and in July, she beat the former world champion Lu Lan in the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open, which was a Grand Prix Gold tournament, and beat World Junior silver medalist Sayaka Sato in the final. This was the first international title she would win, at the age of only 17.{{cite web |title=Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying triumphs at badminton event |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2011/07/18/2003508509 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=18 July 2011 |page=20 |access-date=22 July 2011}} She also reached the semi-finals of the Canada,{{cite web |title=加拿大羽球賽 鄭韶婕爭后 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%8A%A0%E6%8B%BF%E5%A4%A7%E7%BE%BD%E7%90%83%E8%B3%BD-%E9%84%AD%E9%9F%B6%E5%A9%95%E7%88%AD%E5%90%8E-190036264.html |publisher=China Times |via=Yahoo! |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=20 October 2024 |language=zh}} Vietnam,{{cite web |title=2011 越南公開賽戰績- Victor 勝利體育 台灣羽球第一品牌 |url=https://www.victorsport.com.tw/news/825 |publisher=Victor Sport |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=20 October 2024 |language=zh}} and French Open, where, in France, she defeated China's number 1, Wang Shixian, in the quarter-finals.{{cite web |title=Tai Tzu Ying now regarded as a serious threat by the Chinese |url=https://www.victorsport.com/news/219/Tai-Tzu-Ying-now-regarded-as-a-serious-threat-by-the-Chinese |website=Victor Sport |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=19 March 2020}} Tai was awarded best rookie athlete in the 2011 Sports Elite Awards.{{cite web |title=精英獎／張銘煌、鄭韶婕再度獲獎　目標鎖定倫敦奧運 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/11595 |publisher=ETToday |date=8 December 2011 |access-date=20 October 2024 |language=zh}}

In the early half of the 2012 season, her best achievements were the reaching the semi-finals in the All England Open and being ranked as 16th in the world. {{cite web |title=Rising stars should keep the Chinese girls on their toes |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/other-sport/2012/03/12/rising-stars-should-keep-the-chinese-girls-on-their-toes/ |website=The Star |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=19 March 2020}} Tai represented her country as the second women's singles behind Cheng Shao-chieh at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The 18-year-old, ranked 13th in the world and seeded 10th won all matches in the group stage defeating Anu Nieminen of Finland and Victoria Montero of Mexico. Her run at the Olympics was stopped by the eventual gold medalist from China Li Xuerui in the round of 16.{{cite web |title=London 2012 Olympics: Taiwan's Tai downs Montero to advance |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2012/08/01/2003539154 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=19 March 2020}} In September, she claimed her first ever Superseries title in the Japan Open and made history as the youngest player to win a Superseries title (currently the third youngest player, after Ratchanok Intanon, who won the India Open in 2013, and Akane Yamaguchi, who won the Japan Open in 2013).{{cite web |title=Tai Tzu Ying Celebrates Maiden Superseries Triumph |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2012/09/23/japan-open-day-6-tai-tzu-ying-celebrates-maiden-superseries-triumph |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=23 September 2012 |access-date=20 October 2024}} She truly entered the upper echelons and future of the women's game with her victory in Japan and increasingly impressive performances and significant wins over some of the top players. In October, she won the Chinese Taipei Open against Lindaweni Fanetri in a close rubber games 21–19, 20–22, 22–20.{{cite web |title=Nguyen Tien Minh and Tai Tzu Ying Triumph at the 2012 Taipei Open |url=https://www.victorsport.com/news/289/Nguyen-Tien-Minh-and-Tai-Tzu-Ying-Triumph-at-the-2012-Taipei-Open |website=Victor Sport |date=8 October 2012 |access-date=19 March 2020}} In November, she competed as the top-seeded player at the World Junior Championships in Chiba, Japan, but fell in the quarter-finals to Sun Yu.{{cite web |last=Alleyne |first=Gayle |title=Japan Holds Court at Home with Singles Success |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2012/11/04/japan-holds-court-at-home-with-singles-success |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=4 November 2012 |access-date=19 March 2020}} She took part in the World University Championships and won a gold in the women's singles and a silver medal in the women's doubles with her partner Pai Hsiao-ma.{{cite web |last=Hearn |first=Don |title=World University Champs 2012 Finals – Tai shares wealth, Kim takes two |url=https://www.badzine.net/2012/11/world-university-champs-finals-tai-shares-wealth-kim-takes-two/ |publisher=Badzine |date=11 November 2012 |access-date=20 October 2024}}

Tai clinched her maiden and only title in 2013 in the Malaysia Open.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Day 6 - Chong Wei – King of Malaysia's Court for Ninth Time |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2013/01/20/malaysia-open-day-6-chong-wei-king-of-malaysias-court-for-ninth-time |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=20 January 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} In other tournaments in the first half of the 2013 season, she often experienced defeat in the quarter-finals, such as in the Germany,{{cite web |last=Røsler |first=Manuel |title=Europe outshines Asia in mixed doubles |url=https://badmintoneurope.com/cms/?clubid=4685&m=614745&cmsid=239&pageid=5381& |publisher=Badminton Europe |date=2 March 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} Switzerland,{{cite web |title=Saina storms into Swiss Open semis |url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/badminton-saina-nehwal-storms-into-swiss-open-semi-finals/20130316.htm |work=Rediff |date=16 March 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} Asian Championships,{{cite web |title=Injured ‘Super Dan’ pulls out of Asia Championships |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2013/04/20/2003560184 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=20 April 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} Indonesia,{{cite web |title=Hasil delapan besar Indonesia Terbuka 2013 |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/380129/hasil-delapan-besar-indonesia-terbuka-2013 |publisher=Antara |date=14 June 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024 |language=id}} Singapore, as well with her teammate in the Sudirman Cup. Tai then competed in the Summer Universiade and won the silver in the women's singles and bronze in the team event.{{cite web |title=News Ticker |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/print.php?unit=10&post=20190&unitname=Society-Top-News&postname=News-Ticker |work=Taiwan Today |date=15 July 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} Her quarter-finals defeat continued into the World Championship.{{cite web |title=Lin Dan powers through to semi-finals of worlds |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2013/08/10/2003569348 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=10 August 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} She finally advanced to the final stage in the Chinese Taipei Open but was defeated by Sung Ji-hyun.{{cite web |last=Chee |first=Ying Fan |title=Chinese Taipei Open 2013 Finals – Korea take 4th sweep |url=https://www.badzine.net/2013/09/chinese-taipei-open-finals-korea-take-4th-sweep/ |publisher=Badzine |date=8 September 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} She next played in the East Asian Games in Tianjin,{{cite web |last=Hearn |first=Don |title=Chinese Taipei all-in for Tianjin |url=https://www.badzine.net/2013/09/chinese-taipei-all-in-for-tianjin/ |publisher=Badzine |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} and won a silver medal in the women's team event. Tai qualified for the Superseries Finals. She defeated Sung Ji-hyun and Porntip Buranaprasertsuk but lost to Wang Shixian in the group stage. She made it to the semi-finals and successfully avenged her loss, beating Wang Shixian.{{cite web |last=Rin |first=Kira |title=Superseries Finals 2013 SF – Tai-Wang match a thriller |url=https://www.badzine.net/2013/12/superseries-finals-sf-tai-wang-match-a-thriller/ |publisher=Badzine |date=15 December 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}} She ended second after losing the final to Li Xuerui.{{cite web |title=Malaysia's Lee, China's Li Win Superseries Finals |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/2013/Dec/15/malaysias-lee-chinas-li-win-superseries-finals-551425.html |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=16 December 2013 |access-date=20 October 2024}}

Tai represented her country at the 2014 Asian Games and won Taiwan's first badminton medal by finishing in third place.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Chin-wei|last2=Kao|first2=Evelyn|title=Tai Tzu-ying wins bronze for Taiwan in women's singles badminton|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeas/201409270020.aspx|work=Focus Taiwan |date=27 September 2014 |access-date=27 September 2014}} She reached her first finals in the Superseries event in the Japan Open but was still unable to defeat the world's number one, Li Xuerui.{{cite web |last=Regala |first=Emzi |title=Japan Open 2014 Finals – Lee Yong Dae returns to capture 1st Japan Open gold |url=https://www.badzine.net/2014/06/japan-open-finals-lee-yong-dae-returns-to-capture-1st-japan-open-gold/ |publisher=Badzine |date=15 June 2014 |access-date=20 October 2024}} She then won the Hong Kong Open after beating Nozomi Okuhara in straight games.{{cite web |last=Chan |first=Kin-wa |title=Chen Long's final defeat completes embarrassing Hong Kong Open for China |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1647139/chinas-chen-long-loses-while-giant-killing-run-ends-okuhara |publisher=South China Morning Post |date=23 November 2014 |access-date=20 October 2024}} She extended her winning streak to the Superseries Finals in Dubai and won the first title for Taiwan in the Superseries finals by beating Korea's Sung Ji-hyun in straight games.{{cite web |last=Regala |first=Emzi |title=BWF DD WSSF 2014 – Day 5: Breezy Title Win for Tai |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2014/12/22/bwf-dd-wssf-2014-day-5-breezy-title-win-for-tai |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=22 December 2014 |access-date=20 October 2024}}

In 2015, she was beaten by Sun Yu in the Singapore Open. She did not win any titles that year.

In 2016, Tai won the Indonesia Open and the Hong Kong Open to reach World No. 1 for the first time in her career. She won the Superseries Finals in Dubai for the second time, becoming the second women's singles player to do so (after Li Xuerui in 2012 and 2013).See also: List of Superseries Finals winner. She also made history by becoming the first women's singles player to reach the finals in the Superseries Finals three times. She received the most prize money throughout 2016 with US$271,025.{{cite web |last=Hearn |first=Don |title=Tai Tzu Ying is badminton's top prize-winner for 2016, with US$271,025 |url=https://www.badzine.net/2016/12/tai-tzu-ying-is-badmintons-top-prize-winner-for-2016-with-us271025/ |publisher=Badzine |date=28 December 2016 |access-date=20 October 2024}}

Before the 2017 season started, Tai announced that she would skip that year's World Championships in Glasgow. Tai decided to attend the 2017 Summer Universiade not only out of a desire to earn a title for her home country but also for the bigger picture.{{cite web |title=把獎牌留台灣 小戴決定參加世大運 |url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/1071265 |work=Liberty Times |date=15 January 2017 |access-date=29 November 2021 |language=zh}}{{cite web|title=棄世錦賽打世大運 戴資穎讓世界看見台灣 Tai Defends Decision to Participate in Universiade—英語新聞 |website=宏觀新聞 MacTV News|date=1 September 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdOZ8JoLGk0 |access-date=19 November 2017}} Since the Summer Universiade was by far the biggest sporting event held in her home country, only second to the Olympic Games, Tai wanted to welcome the world to see Taiwan. President Tsai commended Tai's decision.{{cite web |url=http://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/5201 |title=President Tsai meets 2017 Universiade athletes, coaches, and staff from Taiwan |website=Office of the President, ROC (Taiwan) |access-date=18 November 2017}} She won the Special Contribution Award at the 2017 Sports Elite Awards.

Tai won her first All England Open title in March 2017, beating Ratchanok Intanon in the finals.{{cite web |last=Alleyne |first=Gayle |title=Top Seeds Triumph – Singles Finals: Yonex All England Open 2017 |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/03/12/top-seeds-triumph-singles-finals-yonex-all-england-open-2017/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=12 March 2017 |access-date=3 June 2020}} In April, Tai won the Malaysia Open as well as the Singapore Open beating Carolina Marín in the finals two times in two weeks. Her titles in Malaysia and Singapore were her fourth and fifth consecutive ones.{{cite web |last1=Sukumar |first1=Dev |last2=Alleyne |first2=Gayle |title=Lin, Tai Reign Supreme – Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2017: Singles Finals |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/04/09/lin-tai-reign-celcom-axiata-malaysia-open-2017-singles-finals/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=9 April 2017 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710042431/https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/04/09/lin-tai-reign-celcom-axiata-malaysia-open-2017-singles-finals/ |archive-date=10 July 2020}}{{cite web |last=Chen |first=May |title=Badminton: Tai Tzu-ying wins fifth title in a row |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/badminton-world-no-1-tai-tzu-ying-picks-up-fifth-straight-superseries-title-at-spore-open |publisher=The Straits Times |date=17 April 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024 |url-access=subscription}} Later in April, she won another title against Akane Yamaguchi in the Asian Championships held in Wuhan, China, marking a sixth consecutive title. It was also the first gold medal for Taiwan in this competition.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Six in a Row for Tai – Badminton Asia Championships 2017: Finals |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/05/01/six-in-a-row-for-tai-badminton-asia-championships-2017-finals |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=1 May 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}}

After winning 3 matches for her country in the 2017 Sudirman Cup, Tai extended her winning streak to 27 matches,{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Chinese Taipei Down Korea – Day 4 (Session 1): Total BWF Sudirman Cup 2017 |url=https://bwfsudirmancup.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/05/24/chinese-taipei-down-korea-day-4-session-1-total-bwf-sudirman-cup-2017/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}} before losing to Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol in the quarter-finals of the Indonesia Open.{{cite web |title=Tzu Ying's unbeaten run comes to an end Jakarta |url=https://badmintonasia.org/2017/06/18/tzu-ying-s-unbeaten-run-comes-to-an-end-jakarta/ |publisher=Badminton Asia |date=18 June 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}} In the Universiade, Tai claimed two gold medals by winning the women's singles and team events.{{cite web |last=Winters |first=Max |title=Hosts dominate badminton finals on penultimate day of Taipei 2017 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1054726/hosts-dominate-badminton-finals-on-penultimate-day-of-taipei-2017 |work=Inside the Games |date=29 August 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}}{{cite web |last=Pan |first=Jason |title=Taipei Universiade: Tai leads nation to mixed team gold |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/08/26/2003677188 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=26 August 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}} She returned to the top of the podium of the Superseries tournament after winning the French Open in October,{{cite web |title=Asians show their might in Yonex French Open |url=https://badmintonasia.org/2017/10/31/asians-show-their-might-in-yonex-french-open/ |publisher=Badminton Asia |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}} then defending and securing her third Hong Kong Open title in November.{{cite web |title=Taiwan badminton star Tai defends Hong Kong Open title |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=125602 |work=Taiwan Today |date=27 November 2017 |access-date=19 October 2024}}

File:Yonex Chinese Taipei Open 2018 - Quarter Final - Tai Tzu-ying vs Sung Shuo Yun 01.jpg

In 2018, Tai started the season by participating in the Malaysian Master, in which she defeated Chen Yufei in the quarter-finals and Carolina Marín in a thrilling semi-finals, coming from a game down, but lost to Ratchanok Intanon in the final.{{cite web |editor=Lerpong Amsa-ngiam |title=Ratchanok stuns Tai for Malaysia Masters crown |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/sports/30336786 |work=The Nation |date=21 January 2018 |access-date=3 June 2020}} A week later, at the Indonesia Masters, she won the title after defeating Saina Nehwal.{{cite web |title=Indonesia Masters 2018: Tai Tzu Ying floors Saina Nehwal in lopsided final to claim women's singles crown |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/indonesia-masters-2018-tai-tzu-ying-floors-saina-nehwal-in-lopsided-final-to-claim-womens-singles-crown-4323497.html |work=Firstpost |date=28 January 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} But in her next tournament, the Asian Championships, she won the title after defeating Chen Yufei in the final in Wuhan and regained her world number 1 ranking.

In the 2018 BWF World Championships's third round, she defeated Beiwen Zhang in straight games and broke the record of the longest winning streak with 31 consecutive matches won (Indonesia Masters, All England Open as a defending champion,{{cite web |title=Tai Tzu-ying defends Yonex All England Open title |url=https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/84106 |work=Radio Taiwan International |date=19 March 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} Asian Championships, Uber Cup, Malaysia Open,{{cite web |last=Pan |first=Jason |title=Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying defends world No. 1 ranking at Malaysia Open final |url=https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/focus/breakingnews/2474986 |work=Liberty Times |date=2 July 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} Indonesia Open,{{cite web |title=China leave 2018 Indonesia Open empty-handed |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/08/c_137310346.htm |publisher=Xinhua |date=8 July 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} and BWF World Championships), while the former record of 30 wins was held by Li Xuerui.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/badminton/2018/08/04/world-no-1-tzuying-not-surprised-that-shes-finally-beaten/ |title=World No. 1 Tzu-ying not surprised that she's finally beaten |date=4 August 2018 |work=The Star |access-date=28 August 2018}} However, her winning streak was stopped by He Bingjiao in the quarter-finals of the World Championships.{{cite web |title=Tai suffers shock defeat at Worlds |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2018/08/04/2003697950 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=4 August 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}}

In the 2018 Asian Games, held in Jakarta, Tai won the gold medal by beating P. V. Sindhu in straight games in the final, which became the first big title in her career.{{cite web |title=Tai Tzu-ying clinches Taiwan's 1st badminton gold at Asian Games |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=140593 |work=Taiwan Today |date=29 August 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} She then secured the home soil title, winning the Chinese Taipei Open in October.{{cite web |last=Almond |first=Florence |title=Two titles for hosts on finals day at BWF Chinese Taipei Open |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1070799/two-titles-for-hosts-on-finals-day-at-bwf-chinese-taipei-open |work=Inside the Games |date=7 October 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} After crowning the women's singles' title of 2018 Denmark Open,{{cite web |last=Alleyne |first=Gayle |title=Simply 'One'-derful! – Finals: Danisa Denmark Open 2018 |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2018/10/21/simply-one-derful |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=21 October 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} her ranking points reached 101,517. She became the second player in the women's singles category to break 100,000 points, while the first was Li Xuerui, who led with 101,644 points. Although she lost the final game of the 2018 French Open,{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Yamaguchi Breaks Tai's Spell – Finals: Yonex French Open 2018 |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2018/10/29/yamaguchi-breaks-tais-spell-finals-yonex-french-open-2018 |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=29 October 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} she still won 9,350 points. Deleting her 2017 French Open 9,200 points, her points eventually came to 101,667, and she became the highest points holder in women's singles category history.{{cite web |title=Tai nominated for BWF's Female Player of the Year |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2018/12/10/2003705839 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=10 December 2018 |access-date=19 October 2024}} Tai qualified to compete at the World Tour Finals and was placed as the top seed. In the group stage, she was placed in group A along with Akane Yamaguchi, P. V. Sindhu, and Beiwen Zhang. In her first match, she defeated Zhang. She lost to Sindhu.{{cite web |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/results/3317/hsbc-bwf-world-tour-finals-2018/2018-12-14 |title=Results {{!}} HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2018 |publisher=Badminton World Federation |access-date=23 August 2019}} However, she retired with an injury in her third group stage match against Yamaguchi after losing the first game 17–21 and trailing 12–11 in the second game. Tai did not reveal the nature of the injury or how it occurred.{{cite web |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeas/201812140028.aspx |title=Taiwan's badminton ace withdraws from World Tour Finals due to injury |publisher=Focus Taiwan |date=14 December 2018 |access-date=23 August 2019}} For her achievements in 2018, she was nominated as BWF Female Player of the Year.

In 2019, she reached the quarter-final stage of the Malaysia Masters, losing to the same opponent of the previous year and her arch-rival Ratchanok Intanon in straight games.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Glorious Day for Hosts – Malaysia Masters |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/01/18/glorious-day-for-hosts-malaysia-masters/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=18 January 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} In March, she advanced to the finals of the All England Open for the third straight time. However, she unexpectedly lost to the Chinese Chen Yufei, after 11 straight victories over her.{{cite web |last=Green |first=Lloyd |title=Persistence Prevails for Chen – All England: Finals |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/03/10/persistence-prevails-for-chen-all-england-finals/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=10 March 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} She came back and claimed back-to-back titles at the Malaysia Open and Singapore Open, beating the Japanese Akane Yamaguchi and Nozomi Okuhara respectively in the finals in straight games.{{cite web |last=Green |first=Lloyd |title=Tai up and running in 2019 – Malaysia Open: Women’s Singles Final |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/04/07/tai-up-and-running-in-2019/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=7 April 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}}{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Momota, Tai Reign Supreme – Singapore Open: Singles Finals |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/04/14/momota-tai-reign-supreme-singapore-open-singles-finals/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=14 April 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} In July, she was unable to defend her title at the Indonesia Open after losing in the semi-finals to Akane Yamaguchi.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title='Daddies' To Take On 'Minions' – Indonesia Open: Day 5 |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/07/20/daddies-to-take-on-minions-indonesia-open-day-5/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=20 July 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} Her jinx at the World Championships continued further after she lost to P. V. Sindhu of India in the quarter-finals in 3 games.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Sensational Session for India – Basel 2019 |url=https://bwfworldchampionships.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/08/23/sensational-session-for-india-basel-2019/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=23 August 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} This was her 5th straight quarter-finals loss at the World Championships.

Tai reached the finals of the China Open, where she lost to insurgent Carolina Marín in three games.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Marin's Sensational Comeback is Complete – China Open: Finals |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/09/22/marins-sensational-comeback-is-complete-china-open-finals/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=22 September 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} She reached the semi-finals of the Korea Open. She aimed for her third title of the year at the Denmark Open{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Tai Earns Shot at Third Finals Crown – World Tour Finals: Day 4 |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/12/14/tai-earns-shot-at-third-title-world-tour-finals-semis/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=14 December 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}} and reached the finals again after three years. Despite a good performance, she couldn't stand right against Chen Yufei and lost the finals.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Seventh Final, Seventh Title for Chen – World Tour Finals: Day 5 |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2019/12/15/seventh-final-seventh-title-for-chen-world-tour-finals-day-5/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=15 December 2019 |access-date=19 October 2024}}

Tai commenced the year by competing at the Malaysia Masters as the first seed. She finished as runner-up after losing to Chen Yufei in straight games.{{cite web |first=Dev |last=Sukumar |title=Momota, Chen Unchallenged – Malaysia Masters: Finals |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2020/01/12/momota-chen-stamp-their-class-malaysia-masters-finals/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=12 January 2020 |access-date=18 March 2020}} In her fourth straight All England Open finals that year, she won the coveted title for the third time, thereby becoming only the second female player after Ye Zhaoying (1996–99) to clinch three titles by contesting 4 consecutive finals in this tournament. In the final, she beat Chen Yufei with the score of 21–19, 21–15, and with this, she avenged her defeat to Chen at this stage the prior year.{{cite web |first=Dev |last=Sukumar |title=All England: Tai Tzu-ying reigns again |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2020/03/16/all-england-tai-tzu-ying-reigns-again/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=16 March 2020 |access-date=18 March 2020}} She had to settle for second best at the two consecutive Thailand Open Super 1000 events in January, 2021, after losing to Carolina Marín in both occasions in straight games.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/thailand-open-carolina-marin-claims-title-with-straight-games-win-over-tai-tzu-ying-in-final-9210511.html/amp|work=Firstpost|title=Thailand Open: Carolina Marin, Viktor Axelsen crowned champions after straight games wins|date=17 January 2021|access-date=17 January 2021}}{{cite web |last=Hearn |first=Don |title=Toyota Thailand Open Finals – 2nd verse, same as the first! |url=https://www.badzine.net/2021/01/toyota-thailand-open-finals-2nd-verse-same-as-the-first/ |publisher=Badzine |date=24 January 2021|access-date=20 October 2024}} She finally defeated Marín at the BWF World Tour Finals while contesting her 5th end-of-season championships finals and winning for the third time. She claimed victory over her opponent in three games.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=World Tour Finals: A Tai Tzu Ying Special Stops Marin |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2021/01/31/world-tour-finals-a-tai-tzu-ying-special-stops-marin |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=31 January 2021 |access-date=20 October 2024}} Tai was named the BWF Female Player of the Year 2020–2021.{{cite web|title=BWF Player of the Year Award Winners 020/2021|url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2021/12/03/bwf-player-of-the-year-award-winners-2020-2021 |access-date=2021-12-04|publisher=Badminton World Federation}}

Tai Tzu-ying won the All England 2020 and then struck a rich vein of form at the three-tournament Asian Leg in January 2021, making all three finals and clinching the BWF World Tour Finals 2020. Tai then made the finals of the Tokyo Olympics and won a silver medal after being defeated by the top seed Chen Yufei in an intense match, 18–21, 21–19, 18–21.{{cite web|title=Chen reclaims crown for China |url=https://olympics.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2021/08/02/chen-reclaims-crown-for-china/ |date=2 August 2021 |access-date=2 August 2021 |publisher=Badminton World Federation}}

In May's Thailand Open, Tai advanced to the finals against Chen Yufei, repeating the 2020 Tokyo Olympic women's singles match-up. In the end, she defeated Chen to avenge her loss at the 2020 Olympics.{{cite web |title=Thailand Open:Tai Wins Olympic Rematch Over Chen |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2022/05/23/thailand-open-tai-wins-olympic-rematch-over-chen/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=18 October 2024}} She met Chen again in the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open. Tai's superb coordination won her in the decider. In the finals, she defeated another Chinese player, Wang Zhiyi, and she successfully claimed her third Indonesia Open title.{{cite web |title=Indonesia Open: Tai Tzu Ying’s Birthday Gift |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2022/06/19/indonesia-open-tai-tzu-yings-birthday-gift/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=19 June 2022 |access-date=18 October 2024}} She won her fourth Taipei Open title with a straight game win over Saena Kawakami in the finals.{{cite web |title=Taiwan's badminton aces take singles titles at Taipei Open |url=https://taiwannews.com.tw/news/4605234 |publisher=Taiwan News |date=24 July 2022 |access-date=18 October 2024}}

In August, at the BWF World Championships that were held in Tokyo, Japan, Tai defeated Slovakian and Vietnamese players and advanced to the quarter-finals, where she defeated Busanan Ongbamrungphan. However, in the semi-finals, she met Chen again, but due to many mistakes in the last game, she lost and claimed the bronze medal.{{cite web |title=世锦赛-陈雨菲三局险胜戴资颖 成功闯入女单决赛 |url=https://sports.sina.cn/others/badmin/2022-08-27/detail-imizmscv7988937.d.html |publisher=Sina |date=27 August 2022 |access-date=18 October 2024 |language=zh}} Tai qualified to compete at the World Tour Finals that were held in Bangkok, Thailand. She advanced to the semi-finals with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss in the group stage and then met He Bingjiao in the semi-finals and avenged her defeat in the group stage. In the finals, she lost to Akane Yamaguchi, who was in great form at the time and had won the World Championships for two consecutive years, and finished second.{{cite web |title=Triple Treat For Yamaguchi |url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2022/12/11/triple-treat-for-yamaguchi/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=11 December 2022 |access-date=18 October 2024}}

Tai plays an offensive game, with many calling her style unpredictable and often spontaneous. She is a very adventurous player with a disguised nature of shots, seemingly able to hit the shuttle from just about anywhere with a great range of shots and angles. Also remarkable is her very relaxed hitting action.

She has a strong backhand and good net-play, while her biggest fault is being inconsistent at times. Tai also has strong stamina and is very athletic.

Tai herself said that she does not follow a certain play or style, and focuses on herself rather than her opponent or any strategies. Tai has clocked fast smashes, with one of the fastest recorded being 360 km/h at the 2016 All England Open quarter-finals,{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Lee, Intanon clock fastest hits |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2016/05/10/lee-intanon-clock-fastest-hits |publisher=Badminton World Federation |access-date=22 January 2020}} despite her preference of playing slowly to set up shots.

Tai's prodigious talent and deceptive shot-making has earned compliments of many, including BWF commentator Gillian Clark, who often compliments her talented shot-making and has said that Tai is one of the best players to watch in women's singles.

Women's singles

Women's singles

Women's singles

Women's singles

Women's singles

Women's singles

Women's singles

Women's doubles

Girls' singles

The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,{{cite web |last=Alleyne |first=Gayle |title=BWF Launches New Events Structure |url=http://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/03/19/bwf-launches-new-event-structure/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=19 March 2017 |access-date=29 November 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201164159/http://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/03/19/bwf-launches-new-event-structure/ |archive-date=1 December 2017}} is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour is divided into levels of World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100.{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Action-Packed Season Ahead! |url=http://bwfworldtour.com/news-single/2018/01/10/action-packed-season-ahead/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113162925/http://bwfworldtour.com/news-single/2018/01/10/action-packed-season-ahead/ |archive-date=13 January 2018}}

Women's singles

The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007,{{cite web |title=BWF Launches Super Series |url=http://www.badminton.org.au/index.php?id=22&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=136&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=2&cHash=26fb36d8a5 |publisher=Badminton Australia |date=15 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006123828/http://www.badminton.org.au/index.php?id=22&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=136&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=2&cHash=26fb36d8a5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 October 2007}} was a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries levels were Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries consisted of twelve tournaments around the world that had been introduced since 2011.{{cite web |title=Yonex All England Elevated To BWF Premier Super Series Event |url=http://www.ibadmintonstore.com/iBADMINTONstore-News/Yonex-All-England-Elevated-To-BWF-Premier-Super-Se.aspx |website=IBadmintonstore |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002005757/http://www.ibadmintonstore.com/iBADMINTONstore-News/Yonex-All-England-Elevated-To-BWF-Premier-Super-Se.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 October 2013}} Successful players were invited to the Superseries Finals, which were held at the end of each year.

Women's singles

: {{Color box|#B0C4DE|border=darkgray}} BWF Superseries Finals tournament

: {{Color box|#DAA520|border=darkgray}} BWF Superseries Premier tournament

: {{Color box|#FFFFCC|border=darkgray}} BWF Superseries tournament

The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and played between 2007 and 2017.

Women's singles

: {{Color box|#FFFF67|border=darkgray}} BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament

: {{Color box|#D4F1C5|border=darkgray}} BWF Grand Prix tournament

Mixed doubles

{{Performance key (badminton)}}

¹ Doesn't count in official record.

Record against Year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists. Accurate as of 07 August 2024.{{cite web |url=https://bwf.tournamentsoftware.com/head-2-head?OrganizationCode=209B123F-AA87-41A2-BC3E-CB57133E64CC&T1P1MemberID=61427 |title=Tai Tzu-ying – Head to Head Analysis|website=BWF tournament software |access-date=21 January 2024}}

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{{notelist}}

During the period of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Yonex provided unfit shoes to non-contract Tai. This forced Tai to wear other shoes made by her personal sponsor brand, Victor, without any logos. This event caused a controversy with the Chinese Taipei Badminton Association.[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2016/08/19/2003653419 RIO 2016: Badminton quarrel prompts outrage] taipeitimes.com.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160819175812/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2016/08/19/475916/Top-badminton.htm Top badminton player Tai Tzu-ying stands by her actions in shoe row] chinapost.com.tw (archived).

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{{Commons category}}

• {{BWFB|61427|Tai Tzu Ying}}
• {{BWFT|E7478462-B482-44AA-8170-A719B6AE45C9|Tai Tzu Ying|member_id=61427}}
• {{Olympics.com|name=Tai Tzu Ying}}
• {{Olympedia|name=Tai Tzu-Ying}}
• {{Instagram|tai_tzuying|Tai Tzu Ying}}

{{Footer All England Open Championships Badminton Singles Women}}

{{Footer BWF Super Series Masters Finals Champions Badminton Singles Women}}

{{Footer BWF World Tour Finals Champions Badminton Singles Women}}

{{Footer Asian Games Champions Badminton Singles Women}}

{{Footer Asian Champions Badminton Singles Women}}

{{BWF Player of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tai, Tzu-ying}}

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Badminton players from Kaohsiung

Category:Taiwanese female badminton players

Category:Badminton players at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Badminton players at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Category:Badminton players at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Badminton players at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic badminton players for Taiwan

Category:Olympic silver medalists for Taiwan

Category:Olympic medalists in badminton

Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Badminton players at the 2014 Asian Games

Category:Badminton players at the 2018 Asian Games

Category:Badminton players at the 2022 Asian Games

Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Chinese Taipei

Category:Asian Games bronze medalists for Chinese Taipei

Category:Asian Games medalists in badminton

Category:Medalists at the 2014 Asian Games

Category:Medalists at the 2018 Asian Games

Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for Chinese Taipei

Category:FISU World University Games silver medalists for Chinese Taipei

Category:FISU World University Games bronze medalists for Chinese Taipei

Category:Summer World University Games medalists in badminton

Category:Medalists at the 2013 Summer Universiade

Category:Medalists at the 2015 Summer Universiade

Category:Medalists at the 2017 Summer Universiade

Category:World No. 1 badminton players

Category:University of Taipei alumni

Category:21st-century Taiwanese sportswomen

Category:Ambassadors-at-large of the Republic of China