👦 Ian Liu | Tennis Papers interview, November 2025

“My dream is to represent Taiwan with pride.”

Meet Ian Liu, Taiwanese boy junior tennis player who lives in Taipei, Taiwan and competing in U16 tennis category.
Ian was among the top 10 ATF players under 14 years old and now competes in the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors.
Ian bravely attempts to combine studies and high-level tennis.

(Information gathered via an exclusive interview by Tennis Papers).

📘 Ian Liu | Biography, November 2025

🌆 Taipei, Taiwan 🇹🇼

🐉 A vibrant blend of modern energy and rich cultural tradition.
🏙️ Home to the iconic Taipei 101, bustling night markets, and world-famous street food.
🧋 Birthplace of bubble tea — a sweet symbol of the city’s fun spirit!
🌿 Surrounded by lush mountains, hot springs, and hiking trails, offering nature only minutes away from the urban center.
💫 A friendly, lively, and innovative city that feels warm and welcoming at every corner.

🎙️Ian Liu | Interview, November 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.

My name is Ian Liu. I was born in June 2010, and I am from Taiwan, currently living in Taipei.

What languages do you speak?

I speak Mandarin and English.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

I started playing tennis when I was 3 years old.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

No one in my family plays tennis, but they support my journey a lot.

In which club do you train?

I train mainly in Taipei.

Who are your coaches?

I have been guided by several coaches throughout different stages of my development, and the coach who has influenced me the most is Coach Yu-Wen LAI, who taught me for nine years and helped build my foundation. Even though he is currently abroad, he still checks in and adjusts my fundamentals when he returns to Taiwan.

What is your weekly training routine?

Before 2025, I trained around 21 hours per week.
In 2025, while preparing for academic entrance exams, my training was reduced to about 6 hours per week, but the sessions are high-quality, intensive, and focused.

As an athlete, what is your greatest quality and what do you need to improve?

My greatest strengths are my serve and forehand, and my ability to stay disciplined in long-term development.
I aim to continue improving my physical strength and match intensity.

What is your junior category and your national ranking?

I am transitioning into the U16 / ITF pathway after competing in ATF U14 events.
My 2024 ATF U14 highest ranking was #9, and my 2024 year-end ranking was #15.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Reaching the semifinals at the Roland-Garros Junior Series Asia Qualifying stands out because it strengthened my confidence and motivated me to pursue higher-level goals.

In which countries have you already played tournament?

Taiwan, Austria, Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia.

Do you have any sponsors?

Yes, I am supported in apparel, performance care, equipment, nutrition and training services by partnered brands that believe in my growth and development.

What is your goal for 2026?

In 2026, my main goal is to increase my weekly training hours again. Because of my academic schedule, I cannot join a full-time tennis program, but I hope to add more after-school training sessions and build back my physical and technical level. With that, I want to compete consistently in U16 and ITF Junior tournaments, and earn opportunities to play in the Asian qualifying events for Roland-Garros Junior Series and the Australian Open Junior Wildcard Playoff.

What is your tennis dream?

My dream at this stage is to compete in the Junior Grand Slam qualifying events, continue improving through international tournaments, and represent Taiwan with pride as I grow step by step in the sport.

Who are your favorite tennis players?

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Dominic Thiem — for their character, fighting spirit, elegance, and passion for the sport.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?

I enjoy spending time with my cat, watching football and baseball, going to the cinema, reading novels, and playing Minecraft online with friends.

To which people would you like to dedicate this interview?

To the coaches who shaped my journey, to my family for their unconditional support, and to everyone who has encouraged me to keep growing. I also hope to continue developing with the support of global tennis communities and brands in the future, as I work toward earning an international sponsorship opportunity.

Thanks a lot Ian!
Tennis Papers wishes you the best in your tennis life 💜🩷

🎾Ian Liu | Playing tennis, November 2025