PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei should learn from women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has urged Tang Jie and Ee Wei to learn to accept when either of them make mistakes on court and support each other more if they want to improve their partnership just like Pearly-Thinaah have done.
World No. 3 Tang Jie-Ee Wei failed to capitalise on their top seed status in the World Tour Super 300 Macau Open when they suffered a surprise defeat to Denmark's eventual champions Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje in the last four on Saturday (Aug 2).
Rexy was disappointed with Tang Jie-Ee Wei's performance, saying that the pair tend to struggle when the going gets tough.
"Tang Jie-Ee Wei are facing a similar issue that Pearly-Thinaah had previously. They find it difficult to accept when either of them makes mistakes on court," said Rexy after overseeing a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Tuesday (Aug 5).
"We are human beings, not robots and we cannot be perfect all the time. Sometimes, we make mistakes and Tang Jie and Ee Wei need to learn to help each other on court.
"When things are going smoothly and they are able to get points easily, they can play their game well.
"But when things get tough and their opponents fight hard, they tend to panic and crumble.
"Previously, Pearly-Thinaah faced the same issue where one of them will not be able to accept when the partner makes errors but they never went as far as to split up like Tang Jie-Ee Wei.
"Now, they are supporting each other more and this has helped them become more consistent. So, Tang Jie-Ee Wei need to learn from Pearly-Thinaah," added Rexy.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei had a strained relationship and split up at the end of March but seem to have resolved their differences when they reunited less than a month later.
The pair's issues though do not seem over.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have been stopped in the semi-final five times this year including in Macau and have not reached a final since their runners-up finish in the World Tour Finals last December.
With the World Championships coming up from Aug 25-31 in Paris, Rexy wants mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto to find solutions quickly to improve the duo.
"Tang Jie-Ee Wei's problems have nothing to do with skills or technique. We can work on their skills for years but there's no point if they don't improve mentally and emotionally," said Rexy.
"I have written a report on my observation of their performance in Macau and sent it to Nova. He needs to find out what exactly is the source of their problems and help them."
