Feud Between Taiwanese Tennis Stars Hsieh and Chan Unfolds at US Open

Personal Feud Erupts at US Open

The long-standing rivalry between Taiwanese tennis players Hsieh Su-wei and Chan Hao-ching flared up dramatically at the US Open. Their conflict involved taunts, an umpire confrontation, and a pointed snub during the post-match handshake.

Match Details

The confrontation took place during the Women’s Doubles Round of 16 in Flushing Meadows. Hsieh, partnered with Latvian Jeļena Ostapenko, defeated Chan and Australian Maya Joint in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

“They cannot beat us because they’re so much worse,” Ostapenko exclaimed during the match.

Hsieh and Ostapenko reacted to alleged sarcastic applause from Chan’s coach, which was aimed at their mistakes, spoken in Mandarin. Hsieh translated for Ostapenko, leading to additional tensions on the court.

Post-Match Tensions

After securing victory, Ostapenko’s celebration included shouting towards Chan’s coaching box. At the net, Chan shook hands with Ostapenko but deliberately ignored Hsieh, avoiding eye contact.

Underlying Issues

This rivalry is rooted in a domestic struggle over resources, backing for the national team, and sports politics within Taiwan. Both players compete internationally under the “Chinese Taipei” name.

Hsieh claims that the Chinese Taipei Tennis Association unfairly favors Chan and her older sister, Latisha Chan, in terms of funding and support. This tension dates back to a conflict at the 2016 Rio Olympics when Hsieh protested the association’s decisions by quitting the Games, intensifying their friction.