At the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, Chen Yu Fei secured a gold medal and was determined to defend her title in Paris this year, aiming to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Zhang Ning. However, she fell short, losing in the quarterfinals to her compatriot, He Bing Jiao, who retired after the tournament.
Following the Olympic Games, Chen Yu Fei disappeared from the spotlight, and nothing was heard from her for months. A small lock icon next to her name on the world rankings hinted at a planned long-term absence, but the reason remained unclear. It was later revealed that the Chinese player had taken a break from her career and was improving her English skills in Australia. In recent weeks, Chen Yu Fei has become more active on social media, and last week, she announced her comeback. The 26-year-old former world number one returned to the court representing her club in the Chinese Super League, securing a relatively easy victory. She also participated in the King Cup organized by Lin Dan, where she teamed up with Taufik Hidayat in a lighthearted exhibition match against the pair of Vitidsarn and Loh Kean Yew.
As for her international comeback, no official information has been released yet. However, hashtags like “comeback” and “2025” in her Instagram posts suggest that she may return to the highest level in the 2025 season. It is certain, though, that she will not compete in the January season-opening tournaments, as her name is not on the entry lists and the deadlines have already passed.
Thanks to her protected ranking points, Chen Yu Fei could secure the No. 2 seed in tournaments upon her return. However, reclaiming her women’s singles throne in Chinese badminton will not be an easy task, as Wang Zhi Yi has become a world-class player during her absence, and Han Yue’s performance has also been impressive. Life in the Chinese national team is always challenging, with a constant influx of exceptionally talented young players vying for the positions of current stars.
Nevertheless, the break seems to have done Chen Yu Fei good, as she appears much happier at public events and seems to have shed the burden she had been carrying since the Tokyo Games.