SBOTOP: An Se-young Credits Self-Belief as Key to Her French Open Victory

In a sport where precision, agility, and mental fortitude are paramount, few players have captured the global badminton spotlight quite like An Se-young. The 2025 French Open was a testament to the young South Korean’s growth as a world-class athlete, as she emerged victorious in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the international badminton circuit. The road to victory, however, was not just paved with skillful shots and strategic play—it was also a journey deeply rooted in self-belief, a factor that An credits as the key to her success.

An Se-young’s victory in Paris marked a significant milestone in her career. As one of the rising stars in women’s badminton, her triumph was not just a personal achievement but also a clear message to the world that she is ready to compete at the highest level. Throughout her campaign at the French Open, An demonstrated that confidence in her abilities was as crucial as any physical attribute or technical skill in her arsenal. This article dives deep into An Se-young’s journey at the French Open, her evolution as a player, and how self-belief played a central role in her path to victory.

A Star on the Rise An Se-young’s Background

An Se-young’s badminton career began at a young age, but it wasn’t until recent years that her consistent performances and remarkable growth propelled her into the elite ranks of global badminton. Born in South Korea in 2002, An showed an early interest in badminton, following in the footsteps of her parents who were both enthusiasts of the sport. By the time she was a teenager, her incredible talent had already been recognized, and she was fast-tracked to the national training system.

An made her BWF (Badminton World Federation) debut as a junior, where she quickly rose through the ranks, impressing with her aggressive playing style, fast footwork, and tactical awareness. What stood out the most, however, was her mental strength. Even as a young player, An displayed a level of focus and calmness that is often reserved for more experienced athletes.

Her breakthrough came in 2019, when she won her first BWF World Tour title at just 17 years old, defeating established players in her path. However, it wasn’t until 2023, when she won her first major championship at the All England Open, that the world truly began to take notice. That victory signaled the arrival of a new force in women’s badminton.

But it was at the 2025 French Open where An truly cemented her status as one of the best in the world.

The Road to the French Open A Year of Preparation and Growth

Heading into the 2025 French Open, An Se-young was in excellent form. Her previous victories in the year had already positioned her as one of the favorites for the title. However, the French Open was a different beast. Not only did she face tough competition from the world’s top-ranked players, but the tournament was being held in one of the sport’s most prestigious settings: the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille, where the world’s elite gather to battle for supremacy.

Leading up to the tournament, An worked closely with her coach, Lee Yong-dae, a former Olympic champion who has been instrumental in refining her skills and guiding her mental approach. While her physical conditioning was crucial, Lee emphasized the importance of mental preparation. He consistently reminded An that a player’s mindset can be the deciding factor in close matches, and he encouraged her to trust her instincts and maintain her self-belief, no matter what obstacles she might encounter.

Self-belief, according to Lee, was a cornerstone of An’s success. “Believing in herself is her strongest weapon,” Lee said in an interview before the tournament. “She has all the tools to become one of the best, but her mindset has been what makes her so dangerous on court.”

During the tournament, An faced a series of tough competitors, including some of the best women’s singles players in the world, including Akane Yamaguchi from Japan and Chen Yufei from China. Each match was a test of her skill, resilience, and most importantly, her self-belief.

Self-Belief in Action The French Open Journey

An Se-young’s journey to the 2025 French Open title was not without its challenges. Her first two rounds were relatively straightforward, as she dispatched opponents with relative ease. However, things got significantly tougher as she progressed to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinal match against Akane Yamaguchi, the Japanese world number two, An faced her toughest test yet. Yamaguchi, known for her consistent play and tactical prowess, pushed An to her limits. The match was a marathon, with long rallies and fast-paced exchanges that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. An had moments where she was visibly frustrated, especially when Yamaguchi pulled ahead in the second game. But it was in these moments of doubt that An’s self-belief became her greatest asset.

Rather than allowing the pressure to overwhelm her, An dug deep. Her body language, once tense, became more composed. With every point she won, her confidence grew, and the belief in her own ability surged. In the final game, An fought off a series of match points, showing her incredible resilience and mental toughness. She eventually won the match 21-19, 18-21, 23-21.

After the match, she spoke to reporters about how she overcame the mental obstacles in the second game. “I didn’t focus on the score. I just told myself, ‘You can do it, stay calm, stay focused’. I had to remind myself of my training, my journey, and my capabilities. I trust myself, and that belief helped me win today.”

This victory against Yamaguchi was a turning point for An. It wasn’t just a physical victory; it was a mental triumph. An had proved to herself that, when it mattered most, she had the belief and resilience to handle pressure.

The Final An Se-young vs. Chen Yufei

The final of the 2025 French Open was a showdown between An Se-young and Chen Yufei, one of China’s brightest badminton stars. Chen, who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament, was a formidable opponent, but An’s self-belief made her a dangerous challenger.

From the moment the match began, An was in control. She moved around the court with precision, executing flawless drop shots, smashes, and clears. Her game was a perfect balance of aggression and control, and her ability to read the game kept Chen on the defensive. An’s level of confidence was evident in her shot selection and body language—there was no hesitation, no doubt in her mind.

As the match progressed, An continued to display the mental toughness that had carried her through the tournament. Despite some challenging moments, where Chen tried to mount a comeback, An remained calm and collected. In the final moments of the match, when she sealed her victory with a powerful smash that sent the shuttlecock crashing into the corner of the court, her joy was palpable.

The final score was 21-16, 21-18, and An Se-young had won the 2025 French Open, marking the biggest achievement of her career to date.

The Role of Self-Belief in Her Success

An Se-young’s French Open victory was a culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and mental preparation. But above all, her self-belief was the key ingredient that pushed her over the line.

Throughout her career, An has demonstrated that a confident mindset can be just as crucial as physical fitness or technical skill. In badminton, where matches can be decided by a few crucial points or moments of pressure, the ability to stay mentally strong is often the difference between winning and losing.

An’s ability to maintain her self-belief even in the face of adversity is something that many players struggle with, especially at the highest levels. In a sport like badminton, where the mental aspect of the game can often be overlooked, An has proven that self-belief is not just a mindset but a weapon—a weapon that, in the case of the French Open, was the key to victory.