Great Britain’s Pei Chuan Kao was in seventh heaven at the US Open in Florida after overcoming some top opponents – and her team-mates helped her through an unpleasant incident of discrimination.
Seven was a lucky number for Pei at the prestigious event in sun-kissed Naples – she finished seventh in the women’s singles, seventh in the women’s doubles alongside Thaddea Lock and seventh in the women’s split age draw with Marilynn Kilgore.
During the split age doubles event, an American opponent (who Pei would prefer not to name), walked off court after Pei had hit a winning shot. She later posted on Instagram complaining to her thousands of followers about the tournament organisers ‘allowing a male to play in the women’s doubles.’
The British team spotted the post, but chose not to tell Pei about it until after her mixed doubles match the following day, in order to protect her. They reported the post to the tournament director and the opponent in question was disqualified from all categories.
Pei later posted on her own Instagram account, saying: “I want to say thank you for everyone who tried to support and protect me. You guys make me feel safe and great [after] these harsh words.
“The reason I fell in love with pickleball is the kind environment… Anyone, no matter LGBTQ+ or any gender, should have the right to enjoy any kind of sport, not just pickleball.”
Speaking through her translator and girlfriend Ines, Pei told Pickleball52: “The discrimination from the opponent reminded me of some of my darkest days back in Taiwan, where being homosexual is considered unacceptable.
“She discriminated against my lifestyle and my style of dressing. But I am very touched by the support I got from my friends in the British team.”
Pei arrived in the UK in February 2023 from Taiwan and soon discovered the welcoming community of London Pickleball and the club’s founder Louise Stephens.
“Pickleball has completely changed my life,” said Pei. “It allowed me to meet a group of friends who treat me as a family member and part of the British team – not only on the court but also outside. I am so lucky to have everyone – Louise, Thaddea, James {Chaudry], Louis [Laville], Freddie [Powell] and the others. They treat me like part of the team and make me feel the love.
“It makes me feel like I didn’t feel for a long time. I’m so grateful to Louise because she does not only allow me to have a home in the UK, she cares so much about me and has done so many things for me. I can’t even mention them all! I love it here so, so much.”
At the US Open, Pei feels she learned an immense amount from playing the legendary mother-daughter duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Leigh Waters in the women’s doubles, where she and Thaddea were beaten 11-6 11-1 in the quarter-finals. Pei also played another top US player, Megan Fudge in the singles, losing 11-6 11-4.
“After I played Megan, it made me think about what I can change and how to improve is my fitness and reduce my mistakes. In the doubles, it made me realise you need multiple strategies. The experience of playing against top players develops different thoughts. It also makes me realise we need more resources and coaches in Europe to match the level in the USA.
“But after the US Open I am still very happy. Before we came to the United States, I would never think I would be in the top 50, so it’s really satisfying I can reach the top seven. It’s wonderful.”
After the US Open, Pei flew from Florida to New York to do some sightseeing. Her future plans include the finals of season one in the Major League Pickleball Australia on 17-19 May and longer term she hopes to spend more time training and competing in the USA.
“This trip made me realise there is a lot I can improve and many different styles of player to play against, so I’d like to spend more time in the USA learning and practising. However, my plan is to stay in the UK for as long as possible. It feels like home.”
