'Facing You Changed Me...': PV Sindhu's Heartfelt Note For Tai Tzu-Ying Goes Viral

Last Updated:November 08, 2025, 06:25 IST

Tai Tzu-Ying, who is one of the greatest badminton players of all time, announced her retirement on Friday, November 7.

PV Sindhu shares heartfelt note for Tai Tzu-Ying. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu took to X on Friday night to share a post for Tai Tzu-Ying, who announced her retirement from badminton earlier in the day. The 31-year-old shuttler from Taiwan is a former world No. 1 player, and she won a silver medal in the women’s singles event of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In addition to that second-place finish, Tai also won one silver and one bronze medal in the World Championship.

In a tweet going viral on X, Sindhu wrote, “For over 15 years, you were the opponent who pushed me to my limits every single time. Two of the most important medals of my life—the Rio 2016 Olympic silver and the 2019 World Championship gold—came after playing you in those marathon, heart-stopping matches. In Rio, we met in the pre-quarters, and in Basel, it was the quarters — and both times I had to dig as deep as I ever have. And of course, you got me back in the 2021 semifinals and denied me an Asian Games gold. I still remember that one with a smile."

According to Sindhu, she hated playing against Tai, but facing her changed her as an athlete.

“I won’t hide it: I hated playing you. Your wristwork, your deception, your calm brilliance made me dig deeper than I ever imagined I could. Facing you changed me as an athlete. Park coach will tell you how much we prepared before playing you."

“But beyond the rivalry, we built something truly meaningful. A quiet friendship, a deep respect, and a bond shaped through years of battles that only we fully understand."

As per Sindhu, who won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, badminton will miss Tai’s magic.

“Watching you step away feels like losing a piece of my own journey. The sport will miss your magic, and so will I. It is starting to hit me that my generation of players are slowly beginning to step away, and nothing really prepares you for that. Wishing you the most beautiful second innings, dear Tai," she added.

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