PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles shuttler Go Pei Kee has expressed her desire to part ways with her partner Teoh Mei Xing after one year and six months of playing together.
The 23-year-old Pei Kee said the thought had been on her mind for some time, but it became harder to suppress after she contracted influenza earlier this year, just two days before she was due to compete in the Malaysian Open.
While their other teammates had already featured in several tournaments throughout January, Pei Kee and Mei Xing have yet to take the court as a pair, with Pei Kee still not fully fit and forced to withdraw from the Indian Open and Indonesian Masters.
Last year, she also suffered a left ankle injury during the Hylo Open in November, but fortunately recovered in time to compete at the Thailand SEA Games a month later.
The Johor-born player admitted there were moments when she struggled mentally, compounded by a series of disappointing results last year.
However, Pei Kee stressed that she has no personal issues with the 28-year-old Mei Xing, and that her wish stems purely from a desire for a fresh start to help her career progress.
"I think we will try new pairings. Personally, I feel mentally tired, and Mei Xing is also getting older, so I do not want to waste her time.
"My own age is also catching up with me, and I want to try a new partnership. No decision has been made yet, but I have already voiced my intention to the coaches before the Malaysian Open.
“Ultimately, the decision lies with the coaches because I understand it is not easy to find a new partner, and this is the situation I have to deal with right now,” said Pei Kee.
Pei Kee’s remarks also explain why the pair were not listed to compete in the German Open, which begins on Feb 24, followed by the All-England on March 3.
She said she is ready to take the risk of starting from scratch again, just as she did with Mei Xing when they were paired in June 2024 and went on to rise to world No. 23.
Despite being capable in the mixed doubles event, Pei Kee is keen to continue competing in women’s doubles.
Pei Kee was previously partnered with Low Yeen Yuan while Mei Xing was playing with Anna Cheong. Anna however struggled with an anterior cruciate ligament injury to her right knee before deciding to leave the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
The only title won by the Mei Xing-Pei Kee partnership during their time together was the Malaysia Super 100 in 2024.
