PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may have to brace for the absence of two key players at the Malaysian Masters from May 19-24, with Man Wei Chong and Pearly Tan still struggling with injuries.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky had hoped to see another all- Malaysian final at this year’s edition, but admitted it may be difficult as Wei Chong’s fitness remains uncertain.
The same goes for Pearly, who had earlier complained of a back injury that forced her to miss the Uber Cup alongside partner M. Thinaah.
Rexy said the matter is now in the hands of the medical team, but if Wei Chong and Pearly are still not fully fit, the coaching staff may have to withdraw them not only from the Malaysian Masters, but also the Singapore Open from May 26-30.
“So far I have not asked too much from the doctors because everything goes through their respective head coaches first. We will continue monitoring their condition this week and also next week,” said Rexy.
Last year, Wei Chong and partner Tee Kai Wun delighted home fans after upsetting fellow Malaysians Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to win the Malaysian Masters title.
Meanwhile, Pearly-Thinaah saw their run end in the semi-finals against China’s Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian.
If Wei Chong and Pearly are unable to compete, Rexy hopes other players will step up as he believes it is unfair for the responsibility to always fall on the country’s key players.
“Yes, we hope the others can step up too. Like I said before, we cannot keep depending on our top players all the time. I also want to see what the other players are capable of.
“But so far, most of them either lose in the second round or at best reach the quarter-finals. Hopefully playing on home ground can give them extra motivation.
“They need to show they are not only good in training, but also capable of delivering in tournaments,” he added.
