Badminton: S'pore national mixed doubles shuttler Jessica Tan retires at 31 to pursue studies

National badminton mixed doubles player Jessica Tan Wei Han has announced her retirement at the age of 31.

According to a Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) release, Tan, 31, is retiring from competitive badminton to pursue her studies in sport management.

She will also receive a payout of S$100,000 from SBA’s post-career gratuity programme.

Retires after decorated career

Tan joined the national team at the age of 18, and in her career of more than 10 years, attained five SEA Games bronze medals and a Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold in 2022.

Tan and her husband Terry Hee, 29, who is also her mixed doubles partner, were once ranked as high as 13th in the world.

The pair also made history as the first Singaporean mixed doubles pair to qualify for the Olympics, competing in Paris 2024 where they were eliminated at the group stage.

Tan said in Mandarin, according to Lianhe Zaobao, "I have achieved my biggest goal in life (to compete in the Olympics), and now I want to explore who I am off the court."

SBA said Tan's decision to step away from international competitions comes after sustaining multiple injuries in her career.

In 2021, she had a torn meniscus in her left knee that required surgery.

Tan suffered further injuries in 2024, which led to Hee being paired with a new doubles partner Jin Yujia.

Keen to pursue unfinished studies

SBA added that Tan is keen to pursue her unfinished studies in sport management.

In 2011, Tan had withdrawn from a place in the BSc (Sport Science & Management) programme at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), to compete full-time.

Currently, Tan is considering applying for an undergraduate sport management programme in the United Kingdom.

But it does not mean she will step away from badminton entirely.

Before commencing her studies, Tan will be working at SBA to hone her skills in pathway programme planning, business development and communications, and will assist Doubles Head Coach Paulus Firman with coaching, SBA said.

Will receive S$100,000

As part of SBA's post-gratuity programme to provide financial security to retired national athletes, Tan will receive the maximum payout of S$100,000.

The payout is pegged to her highest world ranking and the amount of time she represented Singapore, with 63 per cent of it paid out in cash and 37 per cent in CPF.

Tan admitted having a "bittersweet feeling" as she is stepping away from international competition, with the Commonwealth Games triumph a particularly poignant moment in her career:

"I still remember vividly the match point at 20-15 in the Commonwealth Games when we won, collapsing onto the ground weeping tears of relief and joy!"

Tan shared that she was excited about going back to school but added, "one never really retires from badminton; it will always be a part of my life".

Hee, who wed Tan in October 2021, paid tribute to his wife and partner, saying:

"Thank you for fighting alongside me for so many years. Your work ethic and the desire to excel is really out of this world. You’re truly an inspiration to many including me. I’m really proud of you!”

Top image from Jessica Wei Han Tan/Facebook