Alysa Liu surprised the figure skating world when she retired from the sport at just 16 years old, stepping away shortly after reaching the peak of her career. The decision left many fans and followers wondering why one of the brightest young stars chose to walk away so early.
Recently, her father opened up about the emotional struggles she faced during that time, offering a deeper look into what was happening behind the scenes.
Alysa Liu’s Father Opens up About the Difficult Phase That Led to Her Early Retirement
Liu quickly emerged as one of the brightest talents in American figure skating. In 2019, she made history by becoming the youngest U.S. women’s national champion at 13, impressing fans with her technical skills and fearless routines. She successfully defended her title in 2020, further establishing herself as one of the country’s most promising skaters.
Liu later represented the United States at major international events, including the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships, where she delivered some of her best performances.
However, in 2022, the American skater announced her retirement from competitive figure skating at just 16. The decision came shortly after she competed at the Winter Olympics and the World Championships, leaving many fans surprised by her early departure from the sport.
Recently, her father opened up about the difficult period she went through before making that decision. He shared how the pressure of elite competition and personal struggles played a role in shaping Liu’s choice to step away from skating.
Arthur Liu described how the intense demands of competitive skating and the challenging environment began affecting her mental well-being, eventually making it difficult for her to even return to the rink.
Speaking about the situation in an interview with USA Today, he said, “She became really unhappy. She avoided the ice rink at all costs. She’s traumatized. She was just traumatized. She was suffering from PTSD, and she wouldn’t go near the ice rink.”
READ MORE: Alysa Liu Admits She Wanted to Be There for ‘Final Goodbyes’ at the World Championships
After staying away from the sport for nearly 2 years, the American slowly began reconnecting with skating. In 2024, she returned to the ice after realizing that she still loved the feeling of skating and the excitement it gave her.
Her return quickly turned into a remarkable comeback. In 2025, Liu stunned the skating world by winning the World Figure Skating Championships, becoming the first American woman to claim the title in almost two decades.
Liu carried on the momentum into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she delivered a brilliant performance to win the women’s singles gold medal, ending a 24-year Olympic gold drought for the United States in the event.
