The BYU women’s tennis team’s newest member brings resilience, hard work and a Taiwanese flair for the Cougars this upcoming season.
With a career win rate of 83% and international experience on the junior circuit, Yuyun Chen brings both talent and perspective to Provo. The sophomore from Taiwan is ready to make her mark at BYU, where she says the team’s culture and coaching staff convinced her to continue her journey.
During her initial recruitment, Chen recalled her interaction with BYU coach Holly Hasler.
“I was impressed by her," she said. "But my English was terrible at the time, so I wouldn’t be able to get in here [BYU], so I went to another school.”
Following a year in Virginia playing for the Liberty Flames, Chen transferred to BYU.
“The main reason I came here was because of Holly,” said Chen. “She cared not only about my tennis but also about my life and my feelings.”
When welcoming Chen to the program, Hasler praised her experience and competitiveness.
“Yu Yu (Chen) brings strong experience and a competitive spirit that will make an immediate impact," she said. "We’re excited to see the energy and leadership she’ll bring to our program.”
Life in Provo has come with its surprises off the court for Chen. Before living in Provo, she describes herself as loving to hang out in her room and relax following practice or class.
“After coming here, I found that they love being outdoors,” she said. From visiting farms to attending BYU football games, Chen has enjoyed the activities Provo has to offer.
The sophomore from Taiwan has felt camaraderie with the team and enjoys whatever activity she may find herself doing with her teammates.
When thinking about what she’s bringing to BYU, Chen said, “I'm bringing my previous competitive experience.”
Before BYU, she competed in the junior circuits before beginning her collegiate career at Liberty. At one point, she had a Women’s Tennis Association ranking of No. 343, the ranking system used for major tournaments such as Wimbledon or the French Open. Chen also achieved a career-high ranking of 976 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which organizes junior tours.
As a junior competitor, Chen has a career record of 29-6 in ITF events. Along the way, she took the titles for G4 Ho Chi Minh City, G4 Hong Kong and G5 Jakarta tournaments. Experiences Chen will bring with her to BYU.
She will also bring her approach to handling pressure and a sense of responsibility as a team member when she suits up this season.
Chen is looking forward to facing off against Big 12 competition alongside her teammates when the season starts in Waco on Sept. 25. She is a little nervous but even more excited about what the season will bring.
When asked what she thinks about representing Taiwan and BYU, Chen said, “For me, this is both a responsibility and an honor. As a Taiwanese, I'm proud to let the world see our hard work, and representing BYU, I feel the strength and sense of purpose as a team. I hope my performance reflects the value of both identities.”