Malaysia’s top women’s doubles duo, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, have been facing challenges in maintaining consistent performances on the international stage, says their head coach.
Women’s doubles head coach, Rosman Razak, expressed that despite their world No. 5 ranking, the pair has yet to fully unlock their potential and still has key areas that require improvement.
“They have yet to reach their full potential, and there are still several aspects that need improvement. However, we have seen progress from one tournament to the next.
“The main challenge is consistency, as every match brings different circumstances. We need to keep working on this and find a solution, but I believe that’s the right path forward,” he said after the national squad’s training session at the Malaysian Badminton Academy today.
Last week, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah faced a tough challenge in the All England quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Japan’s Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida in straight sets, 17-21, 19-21. Despite putting up a strong fight, they were unable to break through their opponents’ solid defense and precise shot placements.
Just a week prior, their campaign at the Orleans Masters also came to an early end in the quarter-finals. They went up against China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian but fell short with a score of 15-21, 19-21. Although they displayed moments of brilliance, they struggled to maintain momentum against the Chinese duo’s aggressive playstyle.
Adding to their challenges, head coach Rosman Razak revealed that Pearly is still undergoing rehabilitation for a minor injury. While the injury is not severe, it has caused some discomfort, affecting her ability to perform at her best.
“The injury isn’t too severe, but she is still experiencing some discomfort. This week, she has been focusing on rehab with the National Sports Institute, and we hope she can resume training on the court next week. We will continue to assess her condition to determine if she is fit to compete in the Badminton Asia Championships this April,” he stated.
Despite their struggles with consistency, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah remain a formidable duo on the international stage. With continuous improvement and dedicated efforts to address their challenges, their journey toward reaching their full potential is still ongoing. As Pearly works through her rehabilitation, the team remains hopeful for her swift recovery and return to competition. All eyes will be on them as they prepare for the upcoming Badminton Asia Championships, where they will have another opportunity to showcase their talent and resilience.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
