On April 11, Singaporean badminton player Jessica Tan announced her retirement from professional badminton. This decision represents a big change in her life. At 31, Tan is taking a big risk by leaving the sport she has spent more than a decade pursuing. Her decision is being driven by injuries and her wish to get back to school. Tan will spend the next two years studying undergraduate courses in sports management in the United Kingdom. This decision is evidence of her serious dedication to continuing her education given her 2011 withdrawal from a similar program at Nanyang Technological University.
Tan will enjoy her retirement, and for good reason. She will be awarded S$100,000, the largest sum in Singapore Badminton Association’s (SBA) post career gratuity scheme. Tan launched this program in 2023. It’s designed to protect professional athletes by extending them financial security long after their competitive career in sports is through. This year, the programme has one distinct purpose—to showcase the assistance that Tan had from the Small Business Administration during her professional journey.
A Legacy of Achievement
Jessica Tan made it to the national badminton team at 18. She wasted little time proving herself to be a fearsome opponent right out of the gate! She and her husband, Terry Hee, became the first-ever couple to represent Singapore. They made history by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2022 Commonwealth Games! Their accomplishments have drawn praise from various quarters, including Lawrence Leow, President of the SBA, who stated, “Jessica had to overcome significant personal adversity to qualify for the Olympics, and SBA would like to thank Jessica for her sacrifices and hard work for over a decade.”
The couple’s success on the court not only brought recognition to themselves but elevated Singapore’s status in the badminton world. Hee expressed his gratitude towards Tan, acknowledging her unwavering support: “Your work ethic and the desire to excel is really out of this world.”
Navigating Challenges
Tan also experienced career-threatening challengers with several injuries who prevented her from competing at her best. Her biggest blow came in 2021 when she tore her left knee’s meniscus, which would require surgery. Through all these challenges, Tan pressed on, holding the torch of resilience and fighting spirit. As she leaves her life of competition behind, she looks back on the experience—both the good and the bad—with a discerning eye.
After having sacrificed a large portion of my life in pursuit of the sport, the mixed emotions are understandably bittersweet. Getting away from these incredible competitions is absolutely the hardest thing to do. Tan stated. She remains optimistic about her future and excited about returning to education: You never truly retire from badminton, it’s something that will always be in my life. Can you tell I’m looking forward to being a student again? I must thank the Singapore Badminton Association, Sport Singapore and my sponsors for their unwavering support over the years.
Looking Forward
As Tan continues her education, she looks forward to making a more active impact on the sport. In her role she will support the SBA in programme planning, business development, and communications. This role will allow her to leverage her experience and insights gained during her competitive years to benefit aspiring athletes.
Tan’s leaving competitive badminton marks both an end and a new start. Her legacy will undoubtedly be a fire to inspire future generations of athletes looking to pursue badminton as a profession. Paulus Firman, the doubles head coach, expressed his hopes for Tan’s impact on young athletes: “I hope she will be an inspiration to the young athletes who are considering badminton as a career.”
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