Janice Tjen Leading Tennis Resurgence in Badminton-Focused Indonesia

Janice Tjen is quietly spearheading a transformation for tennis in Indonesia, a nation traditionally dominated by the popularity of badminton. As she navigates the demands of the professional circuit, the 24-year-old has become a focal point for a sport that is currently seeing a renewed surge of interest among her compatriots.

The challenge of securing court time in Indonesia is a subtle indicator of the sport's growing footprint, a reality Tjen acknowledges as she continues to climb the global rankings. After beginning the 2025 season ranked outside the top 400, she surged to a career-high of world number 35 in August, eventually finishing the year at number 56. Her recent trajectory has been marked by significant milestones, including a breakthrough victory at a Grand Slam—the first for an Indonesian woman in 22 years—and a maiden tour-level title at the Chennai Open.

Beyond her singles performance, Tjen has gained invaluable experience through high-profile collaborations. A standout moment of her season occurred last week at the Guangzhou Open, where she partnered with tennis legend Venus Williams to reach the semifinals. The 46-year-old American icon praised the pairing, describing it as her best partnership of the year. For Tjen, the opportunity to share the court with such an experienced athlete has been a formative experience, providing her with insights that she hopes to carry forward as she continues to establish herself on the international stage.