KUALA LUMPUR – Being the host for the Super 1000 Malaysia Open undoubtedly comes with a set of high expectations, especially when they have world-class players in the draw.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky expected his charges to do better than the Super 750 edition last year, but was instead left with a huge disappointment.
Speaking to the media earlier, Rexy asserted that the men’s doubles shuttlers – Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Goh Sze Fei, and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik – performed poorly in the season-opener tournament.
“I had high expectations for the men’s doubles.
“Wei Chong-Kai Wun almost defeated the Indonesians (Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo) at the Japan Open. I thought they would be more committed to fighting them here (Malaysia Open), but I did not see that happen,” said Rexy.
“Nur Izzuddin-Sze Fei could have defeated China (Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang). Instead of attacking and pressuring their opponents, they stayed back most of the time.
“They said they wanted to give their best fight at the Malaysia Open, but it did not seem like they meant it. I am disappointed.”
Rexy added that the players should stop playing on defence and waiting for their opponents to attack, as it seemed that they were only looking for an easy way out.
More effort was needed in their game, he said.
Recently, he also commented about Aaron-Wooi Yik’s game, saying that the world number three pair did not play with soul.
He also stressed that the team should have taken the advantage of playing on home turf to boost their confidence and go further.
“Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are over. Wake up, it is time to get serious,” the Indonesian coach added.
On the other hand, performance from the mixed doubles and women’s doubles departments was considered positive.
The former Olympics gold medallist praised Teoh Mei Xing, also a women’s doubles player, for putting her best effort into the game.
Mei Xing and partner Hoo Pang Ron lost to eight-seed France’s Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in the second set.
“Mei Xing, being in a big event like this as a mixed doubles player, gave her best and lost to a better pair, but at least she went out with a good fight, the opposite of what was delivered by our men’s doubles players.
“The same goes for the women’s doubles. Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah lost, but showed their best effort.
“Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing also put up a good fight, being promoted from reserves, and got through to the second round.
“Yes, they defeated their teammates Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien (in the first round). But they took that chance anyway.”
Meanwhile, recently appointed mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto also noted that his squad needs to be able to control their game, despite the pressure from the opponents or the wind draft on the court.
As the Olympics qualifications draw near, he said more work needs to be done.
“Pang Ron needs a little bit more push, and Mei Xing needs more work because it takes some time getting used to from playing in the women’s doubles.
“I am not yet satisfied with their overall performance because I expected they would at least reach the quarterfinals.
“I have faith in their talent and ambition. With will and concentration, one of the pairs could qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
Moving forward, Rexy said, the squad would need to give more commitment to do better.
While his team of coaches would work out a plan to meet the players individually to help them improve, he said the latter would also need to take their own effort and initiative.
“What I want right now is the players’ own initiative, not their sole reliance on the coaches. If they come to me or any of the coaches for extra guidance or training, we would be more than happy to help them.
“If you want to be successful, you have to step out of your comfort zone and if your goal is to be a world-class player, you must put yourself under pressure.
“The players need to be courageous.” – The Vibes, January 15, 2023
