Shock Retirement: World Champ Quits After 14-21, 21-12, 21-16 Upset at French Open 2025

Talk about a wild turn of events. At the YONEX French Open 2025, a Scottish mixed doubles team didn’t just win a match, they sent shockwaves through the entire badminton world. On October 22, Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson pulled off a stunning upset against a Korean duo featuring a reigning world champion, triggering a career-ending decision nobody saw coming.

Key Takeaways

Scottish pair Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson defeated the Korean team of Lee Jong Min and 2023 world champion Chae Yu Jung.
The final score was a dramatic three-game comeback: 14-21, 21-12, 21-16.
Hours after the shocking loss, Chae Yu Jung announced her immediate retirement from professional badminton.
Fellow Scot Kirsty Gilmour also advanced to the second round in the women’s singles category.

The Comeback Nobody Expected

Look, things didn’t start well for the Scots. They dropped the first game 14-21, struggling with what they called slow court conditions. But then something clicked. Dunn and Macpherson completely flipped the script. They came out firing in the second game, changing their strategy to a more aggressive, mid-court attack.

And it worked. Beautifully. They stormed back to take the second game 21-12 and then sealed the deal with a 21-16 victory in the third. It was a massive win against a team featuring Chae Yu Jung, a 2023 world champion. You just don’t see that every day.

A Champion’s Shock Retirement

Here’s the thing. The drama didn’t end when the players walked off the court. Later that same day, October 22, 2025, Chae Yu Jung dropped a bombshell. She announced her retirement from badminton. Just like that. After a stunning first-round loss, one of the sport’s top players decided to hang up her racket for good. This news completely overshadowed the match itself, sending ripples across the badminton community.

Get the Latest Updates

Be part of our sports community for daily news, expert analysis, and insider info.

Join on Telegram Join on WhatsApp

Social Media Storm

You can bet the announcement lit up social media. Fans were left reeling, questioning the sudden decision. The upset loss was clearly the catalyst, a turn of events that pushed a champion to call it a career. It’s a brutal reminder of how quickly things can change in professional sports.

Scotland’s Strong Showing

While the retirement was the big story, it wasn’t the only good news for Scotland. Kirsty Gilmour also pushed through to the next round in the women’s singles. She secured a solid 21-17, 21-18 win over Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt. Gilmour mentioned she’d been dealing with some body issues, but her performance was strong and controlled.

Expert Analysis

So, how did Dunn and Macpherson pull off their giant-killing act? They did their homework. They got tactical advice from their compatriots, Adam Pringle and Rachel Andrew, who had played the Korean pair before. This inside knowledge helped them adapt after the first game and target the mid-court for their aggressive strategy. It was a masterclass in preparation and mid-match adjustment.

Unfortunately, their incredible run came to an end in the second round on October 23. The Scottish pair lost to Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie 21-13, 21-10. But honestly, they’d already made their mark on the tournament in a huge way. What do you think was more shocking: the upset or the retirement?

Shock Retirement: World Champ Quits After 14-21, 21-12, 21-16 Upset at French Open 2025

Key Takeaways

The Comeback Nobody Expected