Hsieh Su-wei stands as one of tennis’s most remarkable doubles specialists, capturing nine Grand Slam titles and earning over $12.9 million throughout her extraordinary career.
At 39 years old, this Taiwanese tennis icon continues to defy expectations with her unorthodox playing style and incredible longevity at the sport’s highest level. Her journey from a young girl in Kaohsiung to becoming a former world No. 1 doubles player showcases determination and unique talent that has captivated tennis fans worldwide.
In this article, you will know Hsieh Su-wei’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more about this exceptional athlete who keeps making history in professional tennis.
Hsieh Su-wei’s Biography
Category | Details |
Full Name | Hsieh Su-wei (謝淑薇) |
Date of Birth | January 4, 1986 |
Age | 39 years old |
Nationality | Taiwanese (Chinese Taipei) |
Height | 5’7″ (1.70m) |
Weight | 126 lbs |
Birthplace | Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei |
Turned Pro | 2001 |
Career Prize Money | $12,980,784 |
Relationship Status | Dating Frederic Aniere |
Instagram Profile | @sw.hsieh |
Early Career
Hsieh Su-wei discovered tennis at the age of five when her father, Hsieh Tze-Lung, introduced her to the sport. Growing up in Kaohsiung with her mother Ho Fom-Ju and six siblings, she quickly developed a passion for the game that would define her life.
Her family provided unwavering support as she pursued her tennis dreams, understanding the sacrifices required to compete at the highest levels.
Her junior career began in earnest when she played her first professional tournament at the ITF level in New Zealand in 2001. Even in her early years, coaches and observers noticed her unique playing style that would later become her trademark.
She developed the unusual technique of playing with two hands on both sides, creating flat and quick groundstrokes that confounded opponents and delighted spectators.
The young Taiwanese player showed remarkable dedication and natural talent that set her apart from her peers. Her early development focused on building the unconventional game that would later make her one of the most recognizable players on tour.
She spent countless hours perfecting her craft, developing the variety of shots and tactical awareness that would become hallmarks of her playing style.
Her progression through the junior ranks demonstrated the promise that would eventually materialize into one of the most successful doubles careers in tennis history.
The foundation she built during these formative years, combining technical innovation with fierce competitiveness, prepared her for the challenges ahead in professional tennis.
Professional Career
Hsieh Su-wei turned professional in 2001 and initially competed in both singles and doubles competitions. Her early professional years saw her gradually climbing the rankings while developing the unique style that would make her famous.
She captured her first WTA doubles title in 2007 in Beijing, partnering with Chuang Chia-jung, marking the beginning of what would become an incredible doubles career.
Her singles career reached its peak when she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 23 in February 2013. During this period, she won three WTA singles titles, including victories in Kuala Lumpur and Guangzhou in 2012, followed by Hiroshima in 2018.
Her most memorable singles achievement came at the 2021 Australian Open, where she reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at age 35, becoming the oldest debutant Grand Slam singles quarterfinalist.
However, her greatest success came in doubles competition. She first reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking on May 12, 2014, and spent a total of 59 weeks at the top, making her the longest-tenured No. 1 doubles player from East Asia.
Her partnership with Peng Shuai proved particularly fruitful, yielding multiple Grand Slam titles including Wimbledon 2013 and the French Open 2014.
Throughout her career, she has formed successful partnerships with various players, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and court intelligence. Her most recent Grand Slam victories include the 2024 Australian Open in both women’s doubles with Elise Mertens and mixed doubles with Jan Zieliński.
After taking a break in 2022, she returned to competition in 2023 and continues to compete at the highest level, focusing exclusively on doubles.
Coach
Paul McNamee serves as Hsieh Su-wei’s primary coach and has been instrumental in her success for over 10 years. McNamee, a former Australian doubles specialist who won four men’s doubles major titles and a Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Martina Navratilova, brings extensive experience to their partnership. He previously served as tournament director for the Australian Open for 12 years and helped establish the Hopman Cup.
McNamee’s coaching philosophy centers on understanding and maximizing Hsieh’s unique playing style rather than attempting to change it. He has guided her through seven women’s Grand Slam doubles titles and one mixed doubles title, helping her develop game plans with different partners throughout her career.
His expertise has been crucial in Hsieh’s success with various partners, including Peng Shuai, Barbora Strycova, Elise Mertens, and Wang Xinyu.
The coaching relationship primarily operates through correspondence and major tournament appearances, allowing Hsieh to maintain her independence while receiving strategic guidance when needed.
McNamee’s approach involves creating specific game plans for different partnerships, understanding how to maximize the strengths of each combination while minimizing weaknesses.
In addition to McNamee’s guidance, Hsieh also receives support from her boyfriend Frederic Aniere, who serves as her traveling coach. Aniere provides day-to-day support and emotional stability while McNamee focuses on strategic and technical aspects of her game.
This collaborative coaching approach has proven highly effective, allowing Hsieh to maintain her high level of performance well into her late thirties.
Hsieh Su-wei’s Net Worth Details
Hsieh Su-wei’s net worth estimated between $8-12 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
Year | Prize Money | Major Achievements |
2025 | $268,638 | Australian Open doubles final |
2024 | $1,630,433 | Australian Open doubles & mixed doubles titles |
2023 | $886,334 | French Open & Wimbledon doubles titles |
2022 | $0 | Did not compete |
2021 | $1,410,910 | Wimbledon doubles title, Australian Open singles QF |
2020 | $585,872 | Year-end world No. 1 doubles ranking |
2019 | $2,066,334 | Career-high earnings year |
2018 | $1,270,928 | Hiroshima singles title |
2017 | $450,014 | Multiple doubles titles |
2016 | $364,480 | Consistent performance year |
2015 | $357,039 | Strong doubles results |
2014 | $810,386 | First time reaching world No. 1 doubles |
2013 | $1,109,280 | Career-high singles ranking |
2012 | $490,114 | Two singles titles |
Career Total | $12,980,784 | 9 Grand Slam titles |
Career Statistics
Category | Details |
Current Singles Ranking | Not currently competing in singles |
Career High Singles Ranking | No. 23 (February 25, 2013) |
Current Doubles Ranking | Active (varies by tournament) |
Career High Doubles Ranking | No. 1 (May 12, 2014) |
Weeks at Doubles No. 1 | 59 weeks |
WTA Singles Titles | 3 |
WTA Doubles Titles | 35 |
Grand Slam Singles Best | Quarterfinal (2021 Australian Open) |
Grand Slam Doubles Titles | 7 |
Mixed Doubles Grand Slam Titles | 2 |
Total Grand Slam Titles | 9 |
Career Prize Money | $12,980,784 |
Olympic Appearances | 2012 London Olympics |
Fed Cup Appearances | Multiple years (2003, 2006-08, 2010, 2012, 2015-16) |
Asian Games Medals | 7 (2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) |
Years Professional | 24 years (2001-2025) |
Playing Style | Right-handed, two-handed both sides |
Preferred Surface | Hard court |
FAQs
1. What is Hsieh Su-wei’s most significant achievement in tennis?
Hsieh Su-wei’s most significant achievement includes winning nine Grand Slam titles total, comprising seven women’s doubles and two mixed doubles championships. She also became the first Taiwanese player to reach world No. 1 in doubles rankings, holding the position for 59 weeks, which represents the longest tenure by any East Asian player.
2. How old was Hsieh Su-wei when she reached her first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal?
Hsieh reached her first Grand Slam singles quarterfinal at age 35 during the 2021 Australian Open, making her the oldest debutant Grand Slam singles quarterfinalist in tennis history. She defeated several seeded players including Bianca Andreescu before losing to eventual champion Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals.
3. Who is Hsieh Su-wei’s boyfriend and what role does he play in her career?
Frederic Aniere has been Hsieh Su-wei’s boyfriend since 2016, totaling eight years together. The French real estate agent gave up his career to travel with Hsieh as her support system and traveling coach, often practicing with her and providing emotional stability throughout tournaments worldwide.
4. What makes Hsieh Su-wei’s playing style unique compared to other tennis players?
Hsieh plays with two hands on both her forehand and backhand sides, creating flat and quick groundstrokes that confound opponents. She combines this unorthodox technique with crafty gameplay, aggressive volleys, and an incredible variety of shots that commentators describe as defying geometry and physics, earning her the nickname “The Wizard.”
5. How much prize money has Hsieh Su-wei earned throughout her professional career?
Hsieh has earned $12,980,784 in career prize money since turning professional in 2001, making her one of the highest-earning Asian players in tennis history. Her biggest earnings year came in 2019 when she earned over $2 million, and she continues to add to her total through doubles competition success.