KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-minted badminton mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei won’t be competing in the Hong Kong Open from Sept 9-14.
National mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto said the decision was finalised after taking into account their current physical and mental conditions, having just returned home from their historic outing in the World Championships in Paris last week.
“We decided not to enter them for the Hong Kong Open ... initially, we wanted them to go, but the day before yesterday, they informed us of their current condition, especially that Ee Wei is not in good shape to compete.
“It could be that they are fatigued from their exploits there (in Paris). So, we will focus on the China Masters, instead,” he told reporters during the training session at Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
The China Masters is slated to be held from Sept 16-21, just two days after the Hong Kong Open ends.
Nova also said that since Tang Jie-Ee Wei have confirmed their ticket to the World Tour Finals by virtue of emerging as world champions in Paris, they will prioritise the pair’s participation only in Super 750 and Super 1000 tournaments after this. — Bernama
