Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, are set to make their long-awaited return at the Singapore Open this month after a challenging few weeks marked by Pearly’s injury setbacks.
The national pair had been sidelined following Pearly’s recurring back injury ahead of the 2026 Uber Cup, which was held in Denmark. This injury forced Pearly to withdraw from the event, significantly affecting Malaysia’s campaign.
With Pearly unavailable, Thinaah, who was also the Malaysian team captain, quickly adapted and played alongside another teammate. The national squad relied on younger combinations to fill in for Pearly’s absence. Despite these challenges, the team performed well, reaching the quarter-finals, with Thinaah praising the fighting spirit of the young squad throughout the tournament.
After the Uber Cup, Pearly initially hoped to recover in time for the Malaysia Masters. Although her recovery showed positive progress, medical assessments ultimately confirmed that Pearly was still not fit to compete, leading to their withdrawal from the Malaysia Masters. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) later confirmed that the decision was made to prevent aggravating Pearly’s recurring injury and to prioritize her long-term recovery.
Now, there is positive news for Malaysian badminton supporters, as doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed that Pearly and Thinaah are expected to return together for the Singapore Open.
Their comeback not only strengthens Malaysia’s women’s doubles challenge but also marks an important step in Pearly’s recovery journey after weeks on the sidelines. Fans are eager to see the world-class duo reunite on court and regain their momentum ahead of the rest of the international season.
