The best tennis player you’ve never heard of! Probably.

She is one of the highest ranked women’s doubles players in the world and now at age 33, is regularly beating top 10 players in singles matches at major tournaments including Naomi Osaka, Angie Kerber, Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Wozniacki.

So why then have you never heard of her?

Hsieh Su-Wei is from Taiwan and does not fit the image that the Western media often feels most comfortable with. She is not from the production line of hard hitting, baseline, blonde, blue eyed women players that started with Anna Kournikova and ended up at “Princess” Genie Bouchard!

So why is she remarkable? She hasn’t won a major or been anywhere near number one in the world, at least in singles.

Su-Wei has a fiercely individual personality and a playing style that is totally unique. She has the most creative shots that I have ever seen; going for spins, slices, drop shots and lobs that other players have never even dreamed of! But from Su-wei’s racket they frequently appear in those players nightmares, as Maria Sharapova confessed after they faced each other in junior matches.

Out of necessity, Su-Wei uses unpredictable combinations of shots at often unplayable angles to inspire her competitiveness as she lacks the strength, power and weight in her game that other players lean on. She says of herself: “Look at my arms, they’re like noodles!” For reference Su-Wei is a little over 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 57 kilograms. Sharapova is 6 feet 2 inches and Serena Williams throws her 70 kilogram physique into her power game.

In contrast, Su-Wei puts two weapons to work: 1. A ferocious, tenacious athleticism and fitness in defence. She will run down shots that others simply give up on and 2. An array of incredible shot making, executing two handed shots on both wings, or switching from right handed to left handed and back again. In victory she often leaves much more highly ranked players frustrated and open mouthed at her audacious creations. Check out her shot galleries on YouTube to see for yourself.

But her creativity doesn’t stop there, it provides the key to her independent and endearing personality.

Hsieh attracted the attention of the British media after a spectacular and unexpected win in the third round at Wimbledon in 2018, where she beat current World No.1 Simona Halep. Inevitably, in the after match interview she was asked whether she had worked out a game plan with her coach. Her reply was priceless:

“Yes of course, but as usual I completely forgot what it was. So I just played Su-Wei style!” The crowd laughed nearly as much as Su-Wei herself.

Her quirky approach also stretches to her nutrition. She does not subscribe to the excessively controlled and ascetic diet advocated by other athletes. On the contrary, wherever she plays she will enthusiastically tuck into large quantities of the local cuisine. The evidence is right there in her Instagram feed. I have a feeling that Hsieh Su-Wei enjoys life!

If you have any interest in tennis (or sport in general) then I strongly recommend you make the effort to watch one of Su-Wei’s matches. You will see tennis shots that I guarantee you haven’t seen before, her athleticism and determination and often her sense of fun. I promise that you will be entertained. And in victory Su-Wei will deploy her 1000 watt mega smile that will light up the stadium and cement this unique athlete’s place in your heart!

I love Roger, Simona Halep, Venus, Delpo and Andy Murray, but Hsieh Su-Wei is right up there in my affections and may even be my favourite tennis player. She proves that professional sport is best consumed when it’s entertaining and fun. She also proves that success does not require you to be like anyone else.