Rexy hopes split will refresh Tang Jie-Ee Wei, and lead to a reunion

Rexy Mainaky (far left) with Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei.

PETALING JAYA: Some time apart could do Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei some good.

The world No. 4 mixed doubles duo Tang Jie and Ee Wei were recently split due to strained relationship and they will be going their separate ways for the next couple of months, but the hope remains that they will find their way back to each other.

Tang Jie will play in two events - in mixed doubles with Chan Wen Tse and men's doubles with Wong Vin Sean while Ee Wei has been partnered with Loo Bing Kun.

National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said perhaps playing with different partners could bring about a refreshing change for Tang Jie-Ee Wei.

"Partnerships on court are just like marriage, there will be fights. But we need to know what the fights are about," said Rexy.

"For Tang Jie and Ee Wei it all had ended up all being just frustrations at each other.

"We know Ee Wei is typically someone who doesn’t back down, and Tang Jie has a quiet demeanor. But this has affected their relationship on court, leading to inconsistent performances.

"They needed time off and new partners for a refreshing time. So for the next five tournaments, Tang Jie will be partnered with Chan Wen Tse, while Ee Wei will be with Loo Bing Kun," said Rexy at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara yesterday.

They will be tested out with their new mixed partners for the next few months at the Taiwan Open (May 6-11), Thailand Open (May 13-18), Malaysian Masters (May 20-25), Singapore Open May 27-Jun 1), and Indonesian Open (June 3-8).

 

Tang Jie will only get to play with Vin Sean at the Taiwan and Thailand tournaments.

Rexy said after the Malaysian Masters, the compatibility of both pairs would be reassessed once again by himself and mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto.

But Rexy hopes both Tang Jie and Ee Wei will find their way back to each other, given everything they have been through on their way to reaching No. 4 in the world.

"We want them to realise. Maybe it would be Ee Wei that realises she is better off with Tang Jie, or the other way around.

"They had both decided to go their separate ways but at the time, emotions and frustrations also played a big role.

"So let’s give them some time to get a clearer picture of what they want and who they want as a partner," he said.

 

Rexy also hopes the youngsters Wen Tse and Bing Kun will take their opportunities to gain valuable experience.

Wen Tse had been regularly partnered with Wee Yee Hern, while Bing Kun had Ho Le Ee as his partner.

"We are keeping the options open. If these new pairings are performing well, then we will keep them," he said.

"It would be a positive thing too since it would mean we get two new pairs out of this situation," he said.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s relationship started to show signs of rift after early exits at the Orleans Masters and All-England recently. It also led to Ee Wei removing all of Tang Jie’s pictures from her Instagram account.