PETALING JAYA: Veteran shuttler Tan Wee Kiong has credited partner Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub for the pair’s impressive rise up the rankings in the men’s doubles.
While attention has always been more on Wee Kiong, who captured silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with former partner Goh V Shem and reached No. 1 in the world with the latter, Azriyn, 31, has quietly played a key role beside the 35-year-old as the duo look to continue to defy their respective ages.
Wee Kiong-Azriyn, who combined in 2023, are currently ranked No. 26 in the world and are set to compete in the German Open which kicks off today in Mulheim.
“Every individual is different and we have our own speciality. Azriyn’s strong point is he can cover me on court with his movement,” said Wee Kiong.
“He is energetic and hardworking. You can see him diving here and there on court to retrieve the shuttle.
“I never thought that I could reach this level again with him. When we first combined, we told each other that as long as we set a target, we focus on trying to achieve it.
“We feel lucky that we managed to meet our target last year which was to break into the world’s top 30,” added Wee Kiong.
Wee Kiong is hoping to win a title with Azriyn before retiring from the sport.
“I’m enjoying playing in high level tournaments again. Azriyn and I are always staying hungry to win,” said Wee Kiong.
“We always tell each other we want to do something special in the big events.
“I want to win a title before retiring. I’m getting older and time is very short for me.
“I’m not sure how much longer I can play. This also depends on sponsorships.
“So, it’s important to keep aiming high and we want to break into the world’s top 16 this year.”
Wee Kiong-Azriyn’s best achievement together is making it into the semi-finals of the World Tour Super 500 Japan Masters in Kumamoto last November.
In the Super 300 German tourney, Wee Kiong-Azriyn will open their campaign against Taiwan’s world No. 36 Lu Ming-che-Tang Kai Wei.
Meanwhile, the other men’s doubles pairs in the fray for Malaysia are Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing and Chia Weijie-Lwi Shenghao.
In the women’s doubles, Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee will be the country’s sole representatives while Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin and Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sin will be competing in the mixed doubles.
