PETALING JAYA: Goh Liu Ying sees that mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have improved since their Olympics debut in Paris.
The former international player said the world No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei did amazing at their maiden Olympics, even better than she did when she made her debut at the 2012 London Olympics.
“I remember my first one, I couldn’t even win one match. They didn’t only win but caused upsets on the way to the quarter-finals.
“We can see that their play is getting better, and you can say it’s probably because they are more experienced now,” she said when met at the Subang Jaya Merdeka Soul Convoy event yesterday.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei entered their first Super 500 final at the Korean Open yesterday after defeating China’s world No. 31 pair Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi 22-20, 21-19 in Mokpo.
The pair gave Malaysians a Merdeka gift but will hope to take the title when they face China’s Guo Xinwa-Li Qian in the final today.
The 35-year-old Liu Ying, who retired after the 2023 Malaysian Open, said competing at a high-level event such as the Olympics changes an athlete’s perspective.
“After playing at the Olympics, a competition of that magnitude, things will improve at other tournaments from a mental aspect.
“This is a good Olympics warm-up for Tang Jie-Ee Wei for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” she said.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s third final of the year comes after finishing runners-up at both the Thailand Masters and Swiss Open in March.
Liu Ying, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics with mixed doubles partner Chan Peng Soon, said it was not easy for players to play back-to-back tournaments.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei ended their Japan Open last week in the quarter-finals, but Liu Ying said it isn’t easy competing that frequently.
“Many players don’t get the time to rest and time to test the court when they arrive for a tournament.
“And every venue brings about its own sets of challenges. Sometimes we have to understand why performances fluctuate between tournaments,” she said.
