In a poignant moment at the Paris Olympics, Thai badminton star Ratchanok Intanon defeated her long-time rival Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in their final Olympic match. The victory was bittersweet for Intanon, who knew it would be Tai Tzu’s last match before retirement.
Intanon, who had lost to Tai Tzu in the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals, expressed her emotions after the match. “I must do it (win) this time because I don’t know about the next four years, whether I can play the next Olympics,” she said. “We will miss each other. We have the same style, when we play it’s like facing the mirror.”
Tai Tzu, known as “Queen Tai” by her fans, had announced that Paris would be her final season. Despite returning from a knee injury, expectations were high for the 30-year-old, who had come close to winning gold in Tokyo. However, she left the arena in tears after her defeat.
“I wasn’t ready for this event before I came here,” said Tai Tzu. “I know I’m not in the best condition, but I tried my best.”
Despite her immense talent and skill, Tai Tzu has never won a major gold medal. She has been ranked world No.1 for a record 214 weeks, won the BWF World Tour Finals four times, and the All England Open and Asian Championships three times each. However, the Olympics and World Championships have eluded her.
Tai Tzu’s case is reminiscent of Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei, who also lost three Olympic and World Championships finals. Both players have been considered among the all-time greats despite not winning a major title.
Tai Tzu’s retirement will leave a void in the badminton world. Her quick feet, fluid movement, and deceptive wristwork made her one of the most formidable and entertaining players of her generation. Her fans will surely miss her artistry and guile on the court.
