Breaking all the rules – Pearly and Thinaah prove they are here to stay

ONE is a pearl, the other is a gem.

Together Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah shine like a bright star in the women’s doubles department that used to be dull and boring.

In fact, women’s doubles was considered the weakest link, with the exception of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo and Lee Meng Yean-Chow Mei Kuan to some extent for achieving several firsts over the last two decades.

But Pearly-Thinaah are something else.

They are a breath of fresh air with their fast attacking play, robust presence, brilliant moves, trick shots, fighting spirit and unwavering trust that they have in each other.

The world No. 11 created history by becoming the first Malaysian women pair to win the French Open, and they did it in style by beating two top Japanese pairs en route to the title. It was their third title after winning the Swiss Open and Commonwealth Games.

More than the results, they have showed that they are a pair who walk the talk.

They have given Malaysian women’s doubles all the attention it needed after being on the back burner for the longest time.

I know many used to take a break when women’s doubles matches go on air in the past.

Long rallies and the inability to kill off shots means matches in the women’s doubles could go on for long, often breaching the one-hour mark.

But the speed and quality of the game has changed with the women from China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia raising the bar.

And how many times have we said that the standard of our women pairs with these powerhouses were like north and south poles and it would take years to narrow the gap!

Pearly and Thinaah have not only narrowed the chasm but have restored the faith, proving that they too can match the world’s best.

At the Denmark Open, they lost to top seeds Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan of China 21-18, 20-22, 21-17 in the second round for the second time. It was super close and I believe, they will be able to end their losing streak against the Chinese pair soon.

So what makes Pearly and Thinaah stand out from the rest?

It’s their attitude and commitment to each other and the game – and their humility too.

Pearly was at her lowest ebb after suffering from a hamstring injury during the Japan Open in August but after five weeks, she was back on court. That’s determination.

And both women have always stood for each other.

Pearly had always commended her partner after a win or even when they lose.

And Thinaah underlined her respect for her partner by saying: “I’m really proud of her (Pearly). The pain she went through was unimaginable but she fought her way back. I’m glad to be by her side through good and bad times.”

That’s trust and loyalty.

The duo however need the space to grow. Let us – the fans, media, officials, critics – not make the mistake of putting too much hype on this one pair and expect them to deliver in every tournament.

What they have achieved now is a good start and let’s build them up step by step. Also, the work of coaches must not go unnoticed.

National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky had given his complete faith in former international Hoon Thien How to manage the players and he has done an excellent job.

One can watch the determination on Thien How’s face as he conversed in Mandarin to both Pearly and Thinaah during the matches. Thinaah picked up the language when she joined the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) as a Form One student.

Said Pearly: “We are able to show improvement because of our trust in our coaches too.”

With a healthy environment in the doubles department, one can expect more results from the girls barring any injuries.

One thing is sure, Pearly and Thinaah have smashed the stigma that Malaysia’s women doubles are dreary and gloomy. Now, it’s shining like a diamond.