Tang Jie trusts new partnership with Valeree will flourish if given time

Malaysia's Tang Jie Chen, left, and Yen Wei Peck competes against China during their mixed doubles match against Malaysia in the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 at Muntinlupa, Philippines on Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles shuttler Chen Tang Jie believes that his new partnership with Valeree Siow (pic) will flourish in due time.

Having ended his previous partnership with Peck Yen Wei in style by winning the SEA Games gold medal, Tang Jie now wants to reap more success with his new partner but admitted that they needed time to get used to playing together.

“Valeree is a good player and I believe in her and the coaches who decided to pair us together. As we all know, it takes time to develop a good understanding with a partner. I hope that we can quickly become familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, improve together, cultivate a good partnership and achieve our goals together,” explained Tang Jie.

When asked specifically about their goals, the 24-year-old said: “There’s no doubt that it is every athlete’s goal to be at the top of the podium. Beyond that, being able to perform at our best in every tournament and living up to expectations are our biggest goal.”

The new partnership with Tang Jie could prove more challenging for Valeree as she now needs to juggle this with playing in the women’s doubles with Low Yeen Yuan.

Tang Jie, though, is confident that the 20-year-old can handle the double duty and even feels that her experience in the women’s doubles could prove beneficial for their partnership.

“A good player doesn’t suffer from the need to play in both events, rather she can integrate the strengths of another event and bring them into the mixed doubles. I will also give my all in the meantime, so I don’t think it’s going to affect us much,” he said.

Tang Jie-Valeree will kick-start their partnership in the Indonesian Masters from June 7-12 in Jakarta.

They will have to be on their toes from the start as they open their campaign against Indonesia’s 19th ranked Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas.

The Indonesian pair will be out to avenge their loss to Tang Jie who beat them in the SEA Games semi-final with former partner, Yen Wei.

Tang Jie is under no illusion about the size of the task that awaits him and Valeree.

“They are very strong and respectable opponents and the previous match with them was a very valuable experience. We will give the match and the tournament as a whole our best shot,” he vowed.