‘I hated playing with you’: PV Sindhu writes an emotional note on Tai Tzu-ying’s retirement | Badminton News – The Times of India

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has shared an emotional tribute on social media to Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu-ying, who announced her retirement from badminton at the age of 31 on Friday. Tai, a two-time World Championships medalist and Asian Games gold medalist, was forced to end her career due to injuries.Tai announced her retirement via an Instagram post, relinquishing a distinguished career that included a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and gold at the 2018 Asian Games.“A beautiful chapter has come to an end. Thank you, badminton, for everything you have given me,” Tai wrote on Instagram. “Ultimately my injuries forced me to leave the track. I couldn’t end my career as I had hoped, and it took me a while to come to terms with that. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do next, but for now I’m going to enjoy a life without alarm clocks.”Sindhu reflected on her intense battles with Tai, particularly highlighting their matches at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2019 World Championship.

PV Sindhu shared an emotional tribute to Tai Tzu-ying. (Image:

“For more than 15 years, you were the opponent who pushed me to my limits every time. Two of the most important medals of my life – the 2016 Rio Olympic silver and the 2019 World Championship gold – came after I played you in those heart-pounding marathon 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 have ever done. And of course you got me back in got the quarter-finals. Semi-finals of 2021 and denied me a gold at the Asian Games. I still remember it with a smile,” said Sindhu.Sindhu admitted her challenges in facing Tai’s playing style: “I won’t hide it: I hated playing with you. Your wrist work, your guile, your calm brilliance made me dig deeper than I ever thought I could.” Confronting you has changed me as an athlete. @taesang2734 will tell you how much we prepared before playing you.”The Indian shuttler also acknowledged their relationship off the court: “But beyond the rivalry, we have built something truly meaningful. A silent friendship, a deep respect and a bond formed through years of fighting that only we fully understand.”Sindhu concluded her tribute with a reflection on the changing badminton landscape: “Watching you leave feels like losing a piece of my own journey. The sport will miss your magic, and so will I. It’s dawning on me that my generation of players are slowly starting to step away, and nothing really prepares you for that. I wish you the most beautiful second innings, dear Tai.”