KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Though this is only an experimental partnership for three tournaments, national mixed doubles player Chen Tang Jie hopes his interim partner Chan Wen Tse will stay on track with commitment regardless of whom she will be paired up with in the long run.
This is because Chen is slated to be reunited with long-time partner Toh Ee Wei at the Singapore Open from May 27 to June 1, while this three-tourney break is for the estranged pair to make amends for a fresh start.
"I hope she (Chan) can continue what she has been doing during the past month with me. If we do not continue training, we will not achieve anything.
"No matter who her partner is (in the future), I will support her. I will certainly assist," he said on the interim partnership after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara today.
Chen rated Chan as a professional player with great potential to become a top player in future.
He also acknowledged that it is normal for her to have the jitters as they prepare to compete together in the Taiwan Open (May 6 to May 11), the Thailand Open II (May 13 to May 18), and the Malaysia Masters (May 20 to May 25).
Previously, Chen was Toh's regular partner, but on March 28, BAM announced their split to allow the coaching team to experiment with new pairings following strained ties since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
However, in a sudden U-turn on Wednesday (April 16), BAM confirmed that Chen and Toh would be reunited after both players made a mutual request following comprehensive discussions between the coaching staff and the shuttlers.
Chen and Toh are also in the national team set to compete in the 2025 Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, from April 27 to May 4.
— Bernama
