Joanna Garland: Rising Star in Tennis
Joanna Garland, who recently made headlines by qualifying for her first French Open, is at the center of attention as Wimbledon approaches. While the spotlight often shines on British athletes, Garland, 23, has opted to represent Taiwan, where she is recognized as the nation’s leading female tennis player. Her journey began in Stevenage, England, but her upbringing was significantly influenced by her family’s ties to Taiwan—her mother hails from the island, and they spent part of her childhood there before returning to Hertfordshire.
Connection to Taiwan
Garland has expressed a deep-seated bond with Taiwan, stating,
“I have a very strong connection to the people and coaches there,”
and credits her success to their support. Despite the allure of competing under the British flag, especially with stars like Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter making waves at Wimbledon, Garland ultimately believes that her Taiwanese identity has played a crucial role in shaping her career.
She recalls grappling with her decision to choose Taiwan as her representative nation, particularly as she approached the Grand Slam qualifiers.
“I was torn, seeing British players being so successful at Wimbledon,”
she reflected during a recent interview. However, her formative years and the value of the connections she built in Taiwan led her to remain committed to that path.
Tennis Journey and Challenges
Garland’s journey in tennis began at a young age when her father, a professional coach, introduced her to the sport at just four years old. After making her professional debut in 2019, she faced numerous challenges, including injuries that saw her ranking plummet to 551 by the end of 2022. Yet, 2025 has proved to be a breakthrough year, as she has surged to a WTA ranking of 144 following victories in multiple International Tennis Federation tournaments across Kenya and Italy.
Recent Achievements
Her recent success includes her standout appearance at the French Open, where she not only qualified but won her first-round match against Katie Volynets, even overcoming a severe cold during the competition. This achievement led to an outpouring of support from Taiwanese fans, filling her phone with messages of congratulations.
In her second-round match, however, Garland faced a tough opponent in 32nd seed Julia Putintseva, ultimately exiting the tournament. Despite this setback, she has continued to build momentum, recently qualifying for her first WTA tournament in s’Hertogenbosch, where she contended against Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Joanna Garland is gearing up for her first attempt to qualify for Wimbledon, expressing both excitement and anxiety about the upcoming challenge.
“I feel like I’m in a good place, and if I can play my best, I believe I have a real chance of making it,”
she stated, highlighting her determination to achieve this significant milestone in her career.
