Tai Tzu-ying career tribute exhibition opens in Taipei

Taipei, March 6 (CNA) An exhibition honoring former female world No. 1 badminton player Tai Tzu-ying (戴資穎) has kicked off in Taipei, celebrating her illustrious career.

Titled "Yingcredible Career -- Tai Tzu Ying Tribute Exhibition," the event is organized by her long-time sponsor Victor and runs from Thursday until March 16 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.

The exhibition features many of Tai's player credentials, along with game-used shuttlecocks, shoes, and medals-including 32 open titles.

At Thursday's press conference, Tai said the memories flooded back when she saw her runner-up medal from the 2009 Vietnam Open, her first international tournament.

"It feels like my professional career, spanning over a decade, passed in just a moment," she said.

Now 30, Tai is still recovering from knee injuries that plagued her throughout 2024. She applied for a three-month injury-protected ranking in October last year before undergoing surgery on her left knee in early December.

She revealed that doctors have cleared her for light movement and that she will undergo another operation on her right knee once she has recovered sufficiently.

Reflecting on the exhibition, Tai told CNA that such events are usually held for retired players. "Although I don't look at it that way, I guess it's fine if you want to say I've retired," she said.

Tai previously stated that she would called an end to her career at the end of the 2024 season, but as of Thursday, she has yet to make an official announcement and has remained tight-lipped about her future since last October.

Her last match was in the 2024 China Open in September, where she lost to Denmark's Julie Jakobsen in the round of 32.

Acknowledging that all athletes must eventually leave the court, the "Queen of Deception" expressed hope that her spirit will continue to inspire her fans.

"I hope my journey of believing in myself can live on in everyone's life, work, and studies," she said.