Calmness has always been my way of conduct.
Yet within me lies a restless spirit that refuses to concede.

1. Origin

Blessed with keen athletic abilities, I was the lead player in taekwondo, handball, and table tennis teams during my time at Zhongxiao Elementary School.

Later, upon entering Huai Sheng Junior High School, a pivotal moment occurred in my third year: a friend of my grandmother gifted me a tennis racket. From that day on, I practiced daily at Yucheng Park, forging an unbreakable bond with tennis.

However, in those early years, academic achievement was paramount, and my parents strongly opposed my athletic pursuits, believing that gaining admission to a prestigious school was the true path to success. Moreover, at the park, I faced discrimination both for my gender and my developing tennis skills, which only fueled my determination to earn their respect.

2. My Educational Pursuit

At the age of 15, I was admitted to the then Taipei Physical Education College. With only six months of training under my belt, I found myself lagging behind my more experienced classmates.

Determined to seize this educational opportunity, I hoped for mentorship to guide my progress. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and I decided to take a leave of absence a month later.

The limited training facilities outside of class hours made improvement elusive, leaving me unsure of how to advance.

3. A Cry for Justice

At the age of 20, I was among the top eight contenders nationwide, vying for a spot on the Fed Cup women's national team. However, due to unfair officiating, there was a significant discrepancy between the scores I perceived and those announced by the umpire. In my mind, I had won the first set 7-5 and was trailing 0-1 in the second. Conversely, the umpire recorded the first set as 6-4 in my favor and the second as 3-4 against me, indicating substantial inconsistencies in the interim scores. Subsequently, at 3-3 in the third set, shots that landed on the line were called out. After enduring a grueling 4.5-hour marathon match, I was unjustly declared the loser. Lacking connections and support, I could only swallow my tears and accept this injustice in silence.

In my junior year at the National Taiwan Sport University, I participated in the national ranking tournament in Tainan as the top seed. Taking the event seriously, I arrived early at the venue to warm up. However, the organizers unexpectedly changed the venue without clear notification, causing me to miss my match and ultimately be disqualified due to a "forfeit." This left me both furious and bewildered.

4. Departure

Disappointed by the tennis scene in Taiwan, I made the bold decision to take a break from school and pursue a professional career in Europe, hoping to keep my dream alive.

At 23, I traveled abroad to train and compete in Australia, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. With a world ranking hovering around 900, I was at the height of my career when a Spanish team invited me to join the European professional circuit. However, my mother’s unfamiliarity with the tennis world, along with two reinstatement notices from the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport (NTUPES) in Linkou, led to a missed opportunity. At 26, I returned to Taiwan.

5. Low Point in Life

After being forced to return to Taiwan in 1998, my passion for tennis faded into resentment. The Olympics, once the ultimate goal for any athlete, became a painful reminder. I had chosen the path of a professional player with the 2000 Olympics in mind. Ever since I was young, I had dreamed of one day donning the jersey of the Chinese Taipei team—an immense source of pride and a symbol of an athlete’s worth.

During my lowest point in life, I turned to jogging and coaching, but both remained dormant for a while.

A little before I turned 30, I participated in the Taipei International Marathon, running the full 42.195 kilometers. I made a promise to myself: if I could complete it within 5 hours, I would consider the goal achieved and continue racing.

6. Making a Comeback

(1) At 30, I ranked third in the country twice, and placed in the top 8 in all other competitions, while Latisha Chan (詹詠然), a Taiwanese professional tennis player, ranked 7th.

(2) At 32, I ranked 10th in the country. I would like to thank the principle of National Taiwan Sport University, along with coaches Chang and Chang, as well as professors Huang and Lai, for their guidance. By representing the school in competitions, I had more opportunities for improvement and achieved great results. During this time, I also completed my studies and education program.

(3) At 33, I had the opportunity to play in Asian professional tournaments abroad. While tennis in Taiwan is quite popular, I realized there is still much to be done in terms of nurturing future talent. Around the same time, the establishment of the private Pu Tai National Elementary School gave me the perfect chance to transition into a 3.5-year career in sports teaching without hesitation.

(4) To prepare for my comeback, I moved back to Taipei. Currently, I’m entering my fifth year teaching club activities at Da’an Elementary School and Heping Junior High School.

7. Rising Again

Now at 39, looking back on my journey full of ups and downs, I feel that even when winning, the lack of understanding from my family made it a lonely victory. I’ve also shouted to the heavens over the unfairness of the system, and lamented the missed opportunities. But all of this has turned into a powerful force—it's when you’re pushed to the edge that you find a way to rise again.

At this point, with no worries holding me back, I have the chance to go abroad and truly live for my dreams. Because no matter whether I win or lose, it's something to be proud of. It's an adventure, a challenge, and it represents not just my passion for tennis, but also the spirit and perseverance that every athlete should embody.

In the summer of 2012, I returned to Australia and participated in the Brisbane Ranking Tournament. It was here, after 17 years, that I reunited with my coach, Wayne. The experience I gained from these matches was invaluable and provided excellent preparation for my competitions the following year.

In April 2013, I competed in the China Amateur Open and achieved remarkable results in 8 matches. I secured a spot in the year-end Masters Cup, ranking in the top 4 in such a short time. I felt both proud and fulfilled, believing I’d truly accomplished something meaningful.

Between 2014 and 2015, I participated in the China Tennis Masters Cup, winning the mixed doubles championship. Despite not competing or training for ten years, I made a comeback to challenge professional tennis. From 2013 to 2015, I worked hard to restore my professional level, preparing for the upcoming tournaments and improving my resilience under pressure.

In September 2016, I transitioned to professional doubles. I was fortunate enough to reconnect with my coach and training partner from 23 years ago on Facebook. I then planned to go to Spain for training, not only to enhance my skills but also to find a suitable doubles partner.

I hope to compete in European professional tournaments, achieve my best results, and then return to Asia to climb higher in the rankings.

8. My Reflections

I may have started off slow and lacked the ideal conditions, but I believe my success today comes from three key factors: mindset, physical conditioning, and skills.

Maybe it’s just me sharing my journey, but it’s for those who are in a similar situation.

Mindset: When I set a goal, I’m fully committed to it. No matter how tough things get, I believe that by unlocking my potential, I can turn challenges into opportunities. I remember my time at then TPEC, where I spent nearly a year losing games. The more others doubted me, the more I was determined to prove them wrong. It’s like the greater the pressure on the ball, the stronger the rebound—this idea holds true in life too.

Physical conditioning: A game takes a lot of energy, and I always remind myself that there’s no ball I can’t chase.

Physical training is a must. The energy that comes from a strong mindset and good physical conditioning can really make a difference. Even when the process seems tough to others, I never give up—I find enjoyment in it, and it feels like a bittersweet challenge.

Skills:  Watching others, competing often, and gaining experience on the field have all been crucial. Whether you win or lose, each experience is valuable. With time, you’ll improve and develop your own unique style.

Xunzi (荀子), a Confucian philosopher from ancient China, once said: “Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without accumulating small streams, one cannot form a river or sea.

A fine horse cannot leap ten steps in one go, but a mediocre horse with ten drives will achieve success through perseverance.”

I embarked on this journey alone, without a personal coach. Perhaps there were better paths I could have taken, but they weren't what I desired. Tennis has long been my everything, and dedicating myself to it wholeheartedly is my unwavering mission. Life is ephemeral; live in the moment!

I am deeply grateful to Venerable Master Wei Chueh, who guided me through my most helpless and lost times, and to the senior tennis mentors who supported me along the way, adding new chapters to my ordinary life story!

...(To be Continued)