PETALING JAYA: The split of women’s doubles pair Teoh Mei Xing and Go Pei Kee has opened the door for new partnerships with younger players.
Mei Xing will team up with Tan Zhing Hui, while Pei Kee will partner Cheng Su Hui. Both pairs are set to start the 2026 season at the Singapore International Challenge, which begins on Feb 24.
Mei Xing will also return to mixed doubles at the same tournament, pairing with Tan Zhi Yang.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said this period offers Mei Xing and Pei Kee the chance to explore new partnerships while helping the younger players improve their performance and world rankings.
“With a younger partner, their experience can help lift the young players to reach a higher level. With younger players, it may also feel fresher and less pressured, so that is their key role,” said Rexy.
“We will monitor their progress over the next few months and through the upcoming tournaments.’’
Rexy added that no specific time frame has been set for their new pairings, and it remains uncertain whether they will continue with these partners or reunite in the future.
He stressed that neither he nor the coaching team will force players to maintain a partnership if there is no compatibility or willingness to play together.
At the same time, Rexy explained that it is natural for any pair to go through challenging periods in their careers, but overcoming them can benefit them in the long run.
“We are aware of the skill limitations of Pei Kee and Mei Xing, but as coaches, we never told them they had to be like Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah because we understand them very well.
“Their results last year were not poor either. They managed to beat pairs ranked in the top 10 and top eight in the world, but all of this requires patience and time.
“This is not a case of misunderstanding between the players, but if they feel they are stagnant, there is little else a coach can say,” added Rexy.
Mei Xing and Pei Kee began their partnership in June 2024 and quickly reached a career-high world ranking of 18. They also captured a title by winning the Malaysia Super 100 that same year.
