Olympian and Scholar:
gymii. ambassador Connie Hsu on Pro Tennis Life and Academic Dreams
5 min read
April 10, 2025
gymii. takeaway:
Connie Hsu exemplifies the evolution of a complete athlete, transitioning from NCAA Division I excellence to international tennis success. With a remarkable 14-year professional career spanning both singles and doubles, she has demonstrated exceptional adaptability and persistence. Now pursuing a PhD in sports science while maintaining her connection to tennis, Connie embodies the perfect blend of athletic achievement and academic excellence, showing how proper nutrition and balance can support both physical and intellectual pursuits.
Professional Highlights:
🎾 WTA Career-High Rankings: No. 224 Singles, No. 114 Doubles
🏆 6 ITF Singles Titles, 27 ITF Doubles Titles
🌟 2011 Ivy League Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year
🌟 Tokyo Olympics Representative (2021)
🌟 Billie Jean King Cup Team Member
🎓 Current PhD Candidate in Sports Science
Q1: Tell us about your background and tennis journey.
Q1: Tell us about your background and tennis journey.
Q1: Tell us about your background and tennis journey.
I was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. at a young age. As a former NCAA Division I athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, I earned Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 before pursuing my dream of competing professionally. Over a 14-year career, I achieved WTA rankings of No. 224 in singles and No. 114 in doubles, won 6 ITF singles and 27 ITF doubles titles, and represented Taiwan at prestigious events like the Olympics and the Billie Jean King Cup. While I'm no longer competing full-time, I am still actively involved in the sport while pursuing a PhD in sports science at the University of Taipei.
I was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. at a young age. As a former NCAA Division I athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, I earned Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 before pursuing my dream of competing professionally. Over a 14-year career, I achieved WTA rankings of No. 224 in singles and No. 114 in doubles, won 6 ITF singles and 27 ITF doubles titles, and represented Taiwan at prestigious events like the Olympics and the Billie Jean King Cup. While I'm no longer competing full-time, I am still actively involved in the sport while pursuing a PhD in sports science at the University of Taipei.
I was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. at a young age. As a former NCAA Division I athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, I earned Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 before pursuing my dream of competing professionally. Over a 14-year career, I achieved WTA rankings of No. 224 in singles and No. 114 in doubles, won 6 ITF singles and 27 ITF doubles titles, and represented Taiwan at prestigious events like the Olympics and the Billie Jean King Cup. While I'm no longer competing full-time, I am still actively involved in the sport while pursuing a PhD in sports science at the University of Taipei.
Q2. Favorite part about being a pro tennis player?
Q2. Favorite part about being a pro tennis player?
Q2. Favorite part about being a pro tennis player?
My favorite part about being a professional tennis player was the opportunity to travel to places I never imagined visiting, meet incredible people from around the world, and immerse myself in different cultures. And of course, the best part—getting to try all the amazing local foods along the way!
My favorite part about being a professional tennis player was the opportunity to travel to places I never imagined visiting, meet incredible people from around the world, and immerse myself in different cultures. And of course, the best part—getting to try all the amazing local foods along the way!
My favorite part about being a professional tennis player was the opportunity to travel to places I never imagined visiting, meet incredible people from around the world, and immerse myself in different cultures. And of course, the best part—getting to try all the amazing local foods along the way!
Q3. Toughest part about tennis?
Q3. Toughest part about tennis?
Q3. Toughest part about tennis?
The toughest part about tennis is how relentless and demanding it is—both physically and mentally. It’s not just the long, grueling matches or back-to-back training sessions; it’s also the constant travel across time zones, the pressure to perform week after week, and the limited downtime for recovery. The individual nature of the sport can be isolating at times, and managing all of that while staying healthy and focused is one of the biggest challenges on tour.
The toughest part about tennis is how relentless and demanding it is—both physically and mentally. It’s not just the long, grueling matches or back-to-back training sessions; it’s also the constant travel across time zones, the pressure to perform week after week, and the limited downtime for recovery. The individual nature of the sport can be isolating at times, and managing all of that while staying healthy and focused is one of the biggest challenges on tour.
The toughest part about tennis is how relentless and demanding it is—both physically and mentally. It’s not just the long, grueling matches or back-to-back training sessions; it’s also the constant travel across time zones, the pressure to perform week after week, and the limited downtime for recovery. The individual nature of the sport can be isolating at times, and managing all of that while staying healthy and focused is one of the biggest challenges on tour.
Q4. What is your biggest focus with nutrition now?
Q4. What is your biggest focus with nutrition now?
Q4. What is your biggest focus with nutrition now?
My diet used to include a lot of simple carbs, which I never really thought twice about growing up. But over time, as I became more aware of how food impacts energy levels and recovery, my focus has shifted toward a more balanced approach. Now, I make a conscious effort to incorporate more protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats to better support both my overall health and performance.
My diet used to include a lot of simple carbs, which I never really thought twice about growing up. But over time, as I became more aware of how food impacts energy levels and recovery, my focus has shifted toward a more balanced approach. Now, I make a conscious effort to incorporate more protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats to better support both my overall health and performance.
My diet used to include a lot of simple carbs, which I never really thought twice about growing up. But over time, as I became more aware of how food impacts energy levels and recovery, my focus has shifted toward a more balanced approach. Now, I make a conscious effort to incorporate more protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats to better support both my overall health and performance.
Q5: How does nutrition fit into your athletic performance?
Q5: How does nutrition fit into your athletic performance?
Q5: How does nutrition fit into your athletic performance?
Nutrition has always played a huge role in my performance and overall well-being—it’s just as important as the training itself. Throughout my professional career, I saw firsthand how the right foods could boost energy, aid recovery, and prevent burnout, while the wrong ones could lead to crashes and inconsistency. Even though I’m not competing as much as I used to, I still carry that same mindset into my daily life—whether I’m training, studying, or simply staying active—focusing on staying healthy, energized, and balanced.
Nutrition has always played a huge role in my performance and overall well-being—it’s just as important as the training itself. Throughout my professional career, I saw firsthand how the right foods could boost energy, aid recovery, and prevent burnout, while the wrong ones could lead to crashes and inconsistency. Even though I’m not competing as much as I used to, I still carry that same mindset into my daily life—whether I’m training, studying, or simply staying active—focusing on staying healthy, energized, and balanced.
Nutrition has always played a huge role in my performance and overall well-being—it’s just as important as the training itself. Throughout my professional career, I saw firsthand how the right foods could boost energy, aid recovery, and prevent burnout, while the wrong ones could lead to crashes and inconsistency. Even though I’m not competing as much as I used to, I still carry that same mindset into my daily life—whether I’m training, studying, or simply staying active—focusing on staying healthy, energized, and balanced.
Q6. How do you balance nutrition needs during different training phases?
Q6. How do you balance nutrition needs during different training phases?
Q6. How do you balance nutrition needs during different training phases?
Balancing my nutrition through different training phases has been challenging, especially after taking time off due to injury and to focus on writing my PhD thesis. Transitioning between a less active lifestyle and returning to pro tennis requires constant adjustments to my diet and energy needs. That’s why I’m really excited to see how Gymii can help support me through this next phase of my journey.
Balancing my nutrition through different training phases has been challenging, especially after taking time off due to injury and to focus on writing my PhD thesis. Transitioning between a less active lifestyle and returning to pro tennis requires constant adjustments to my diet and energy needs. That’s why I’m really excited to see how Gymii can help support me through this next phase of my journey.
Balancing my nutrition through different training phases has been challenging, especially after taking time off due to injury and to focus on writing my PhD thesis. Transitioning between a less active lifestyle and returning to pro tennis requires constant adjustments to my diet and energy needs. That’s why I’m really excited to see how Gymii can help support me through this next phase of my journey.
Q7. What is your favorite part about gymii.?
Q7. What is your favorite part about gymii.?
Q7. What is your favorite part about gymii.?
What I love about gymii. is how easy and engaging it makes nutrition tracking. As someone balancing academic work and returning to training, I don’t have time to count calories every day—so being able to simply take a photo and get instant feedback is a total game-changer. It’s helped me stay more mindful of what I eat and make better choices to support my performance, all while keeping the process effortless and enjoyable.
What I love about gymii. is how easy and engaging it makes nutrition tracking. As someone balancing academic work and returning to training, I don’t have time to count calories every day—so being able to simply take a photo and get instant feedback is a total game-changer. It’s helped me stay more mindful of what I eat and make better choices to support my performance, all while keeping the process effortless and enjoyable.
What I love about gymii. is how easy and engaging it makes nutrition tracking. As someone balancing academic work and returning to training, I don’t have time to count calories every day—so being able to simply take a photo and get instant feedback is a total game-changer. It’s helped me stay more mindful of what I eat and make better choices to support my performance, all while keeping the process effortless and enjoyable.
Q8. Advice to young tennis players?
Q8. Advice to young tennis players?
Q8. Advice to young tennis players?
My advice to young tennis players is: Embrace the grind, stay true to yourself, and enjoy every step along the way.
My advice to young tennis players is: Embrace the grind, stay true to yourself, and enjoy every step along the way.
My advice to young tennis players is: Embrace the grind, stay true to yourself, and enjoy every step along the way.
Rapid Fire Questions!
Rapid Fire Questions!
Rapid Fire Questions!
Pre-match superstition: Nope!
Dream doubles partner: Monica Seles
Post-match meal: Chocolate Milk
On-court snack: Bananas
Food you can't stand: Bitter melon
Breakfast or dinner person: Dinner all the way
Comfort food when homesick: Chocolate or Roasted Seaweed
Forever meal: Taiwanese clam soup
Pre-match superstition: Nope!
Dream doubles partner: Monica Seles
Post-match meal: Chocolate Milk
On-court snack: Bananas
Food you can't stand: Bitter melon
Breakfast or dinner person: Dinner all the way
Comfort food when homesick: Chocolate or Roasted Seaweed
Forever meal: Taiwanese clam soup
Pre-match superstition: Nope!
Dream doubles partner: Monica Seles
Post-match meal: Chocolate Milk
On-court snack: Bananas
Food you can't stand: Bitter melon
Breakfast or dinner person: Dinner all the way
Comfort food when homesick: Chocolate or Roasted Seaweed
Forever meal: Taiwanese clam soup
