Today, we celebrate the extraordinary Hsieh Su-wei, the Taiwanese tennis legend who turns 40! But here's the astonishing part: she's not just celebrating a birthday—she's still dominating the courts with the same passion and skill that made her a trailblazer. To honor this milestone, let’s dive into 40 remarkable stats that define her iconic career—and trust me, you won’t want to miss this. And this is the part most people miss: her journey is not just about numbers; it’s a story of resilience, innovation, and breaking barriers in a sport where youth often reigns supreme.
No. 1 Pioneer: On May 12, 2014, Hsieh became the first Taiwanese player—male or female, singles or doubles—to reach the world No. 1 ranking. A true trailblazer!
Mixed Doubles Glory: She clinched two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles at the 2024 Australian Open and Wimbledon, partnering with Poland’s Jan Zielinski. Remarkably, these wins came in their first and third tournaments together—talk about instant chemistry!
Singles Triumphs: Hsieh has three WTA singles titles, won in Kuala Lumpur (2012), Guangzhou (2012), and Hiroshima (2018). Each victory showcases her versatility and tenacity.
Dynamic Partnerships: She’s won Grand Slam women’s doubles titles with four different partners: Peng Shuai, Barbora Strycova, Elise Mertens, and Wang Xinyu. Now that’s adaptability!
Wimbledon Queen: With five Wimbledon titles—four in women’s doubles and one in mixed doubles—Hsieh has cemented her legacy at the All England Club. Her 2024 mixed doubles win with Zielinski was particularly sweet.
WTA Finals Contender: She’s qualified for the WTA Finals six times, winning the title in 2013 with Peng Shuai. Her 2025 semifinal run with Jelena Ostapenko proves she’s still a force to be reckoned with.
Grand Slam Doubles Dominance: Hsieh has seven Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, including four at Wimbledon, two at Roland Garros, and one at the Australian Open. Her ability to shine on every surface is unparalleled.
Top 10 Takedowns: She’s notched eight career wins over Top 10 singles players—all in her 30s. Age is just a number for this champion!
Ranking Resilience: At 40, she’s ranked No. 9 in doubles, one of only nine 40-somethings with a WTA ranking. But here’s the kicker: she’s the only one in the Top 100. Controversial question: Can she keep climbing?
Strycova Synergy: Her 10 doubles titles with Barbora Strycova include two majors and five WTA 1000s. Their partnership is a masterclass in teamwork.
Top 15 Victories: Hsieh has 11 career wins over Top 15 singles players—again, all in her 30s. Her late-career surge is nothing short of inspiring.
Peng Power: Her 12 doubles titles with Peng Shuai, including two majors and a WTA Finals title, make this her most successful partnership. Their chemistry was undeniable.
WTA 1000 Mastery: With 13 WTA 1000 doubles titles, Hsieh has dominated the biggest stages. Indian Wells has been her playground, with four wins there alone.
WTA 250 & 500 Success: She’s collected 14 WTA 250 and WTA 500 doubles titles, proving her consistency across all levels of the tour.
Early Promise: At just 15, Hsieh won her first professional tournament in 2001 at a $10,000 ITF event in Wellington, New Zealand. The rest, as they say, is history.
Comeback Queen: After a year-and-a-half break, she returned with a 16-match winning streak, claiming the 2023 Roland Garros and 2024 Wimbledon titles. Her semifinal run at the 2024 US Open was just the icing on the cake.
Top 20 Takedowns: Hsieh has 17 career wins over Top 20 singles players, with 16 of those coming in her 30s. Her ability to rise to the occasion is legendary.
No. 1 Endurance: She’s one of only 18 women to spend 50 or more weeks at No. 1 in WTA doubles rankings history. Her 59 weeks at the top are a testament to her consistency.
Australian Open Veteran: With 19 appearances at the Australian Open, including 17 straight from 2005 to 2021, Hsieh is a Melbourne Park mainstay.
Milestone Appearance: She’s set to make her 20th Australian Open appearance in just a few weeks. Will she add another chapter to her legacy?
First WTA Title: At 21, she won her first WTA title in doubles in Beijing in 2007, partnering with fellow Taiwanese player Chuang Chia-jung.
Breakthrough Moment: At 22, she reached the fourth round of the 2008 Australian Open as a qualifier ranked No. 158, losing to then-No. 1 Justine Henin. Her Top 100 debut followed shortly after.
Singles Peak: Her career-high singles ranking of No. 23, achieved in 2013, remains the highest for any Taiwanese player in WTA singles history.
Late-Career Surge: At 33, she climbed back to No. 24 in singles, just one spot off her career high. Her longevity is truly remarkable.
Best Year-End Ranking: Her best year-end singles ranking was No. 25 in 2012, capping off a stellar season.
ITF Circuit Dominance: Hsieh has 26 ITF singles titles and 23 doubles titles, showcasing her dominance at the developmental level.
First Grand Slam Title: At 27, she won her first Grand Slam title in women’s doubles at the 2013 Wimbledon, partnering with Peng Shuai.
No. 1 Ascent: She first reached No. 1 in doubles at 28 in 2014, solidifying her status as a doubles powerhouse.
Mixed Doubles Consistency: With 29 Grand Slam mixed doubles appearances, she’s reached the quarterfinals or better 12 times and the semifinals at all four majors. Her two titles are just the tip of the iceberg.
Unstoppable Start: As a 15-year-old in 2001, she went 30-0 in her first 30 matches below tour-level. Her WTA debut in Bali that year saw her reach the semifinals, losing only in a third-set tie-break.
First Top 10 Win: At 31, she finally broke through against a Top 10 player, defeating No. 7 Johanna Konta at the 2017 Roland Garros. Her 0-13 record against the elite made this win even sweeter.
Reigning No. 1 Upset: At 32, she defeated reigning No. 1 Simona Halep at the 2018 Wimbledon, just after Halep won her first Grand Slam title.
Another No. 1 Scalp: At 33, she took down reigning No. 1 Naomi Osaka at the 2019 Miami Open. Osaka had won the last two majors, making this victory all the more impressive.
Grand Slam Quarterfinals: Hsieh has reached 34 Grand Slam quarterfinals across singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. With 21 in women’s doubles alone, she’s a perennial contender.
Singles Quarterfinal Breakthrough: At 35, she reached her first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal at the 2021 Australian Open, defeating Top 10 player Bianca Andreescu along the way.
2025 Dominance: Last year, she won 36 doubles matches, twice as many as she lost (36-18). Her winning mentality shows no signs of fading.
Tour-Level Titles: With 37 career tour-level doubles titles—35 in women’s doubles and two in mixed doubles—Hsieh’s trophy cabinet is overflowing.
Singles Retirement: At 38, she retired from singles in 2024, playing her last individual match at the Miami Open. But her doubles career continues to thrive.
Grand Slam Finals at 39: Last year, she reached her 11th and 12th Grand Slam finals, partnering with Ostapenko at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Her hunger for success is unrelenting.
40 and Fabulous: Finally, 40 represents her 40 career tour-level titles across all disciplines—three in singles, 35 in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles. And of course, it’s her 40th birthday today!
Controversial question to end: Can Hsieh Su-wei continue to defy age and remain a dominant force in doubles? Or is her peak behind her? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
