Hsieh Su-wei, one of Taiwan’s leading professional tennis players, has announced that she is withdrawing from the Rio Olympics.
Hsieh made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday. Her decision comes amid a row with Taiwan’s tennis association over funding to bring her coach with her to Rio. In her post, Hsieh said that she is also quitting the association, effectively ending her career in Taiwan.
The government sports administration issued a press release Thursday urging Hsieh to reconsider her decision. Premier Lin Chuan has also expressed concern and asked Taiwan’s Olympic committee to resolve its differences with Hsieh.
Hsieh’s career highlights include winning the women’s doubles at Wimbledon in 2013 with her Chinese partner Peng Shuai.
Taiwanese athletes will be competing in 18 sports at this year’s Olympic Games, including archery, gymnastics, shooting, boxing, tennis, weightlifting, equestrian, and taekwondo. Due to the sensitive issue of Taiwan’s political status, Taiwanese athletes compete at the Olympics under the name Chinese Taipei.