Goh Liu Ying stepped away from the badminton court with her legacy firmly intact: 13 BWF titles, an Olympic silver medal, and a lasting place in Malaysia’s sporting history. But now, at 36 and thriving in retirement, she says one unexpected twist could draw her back into competition—if pickleball joins the Olympic Games.
A Champion’s New Court
Since retiring in 2023, Goh has embraced pickleball, the paddle sport that’s surged in popularity for its mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements. “Pickleball can be a social sport. But if it can enter the Olympics, I guess it has a chance,” she told Malay Mail in a recent interview.
Before giving birth, Goh was playing up to three times a week—sometimes for three hours a session. What draws her in isn’t just the gameplay, but the sport’s flexibility and fun. “You can go pro or just be social. That’s the advantage. You don’t even need to train hard, you can just show up and enjoy,” she said.
But her tone shifts when the Olympics come up. “All of our planning as athletes revolves around the Olympics. You can get pension money and salary if your sport is in. If it’s not, it’s tough,” she added.
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From Rio to Recreation
Goh etched her name into history alongside Chan Peng Soon in Rio 2016, where they captured Malaysia’s first-ever Olympic medal in mixed doubles. The pair climbed to a career-high world No. 3 in 2012 and remained fixtures in the top 10 throughout their peak years.
That kind of pedigree makes her latest remarks especially compelling. Though she now plays pickleball casually, Goh says she’d consider a competitive return if the sport is added to the Olympic program. The possibility of chasing a second medal—even in a new discipline—could tempt her out of retirement.
Pickleball’s Olympic Push Gains an Ally
With pickleball in Asia growing rapidly, advocates are lobbying for Olympic inclusion. While not yet recognized by the IOC, the sport has expanded in governance and visibility.
Goh’s support lends credibility, potentially influencing other elite athletes and signaling that pickleball’s Olympic dream is increasingly plausible. Her endorsement highlights the sport’s rising profile across pickleball Asia.
If pickleball earns Olympic recognition, fans could witness a surprising comeback from one of Malaysia’s most celebrated athletes, boosting the sport and inspiring the next generation of players.
