Chong Wei: Home pressure weighs heavier than any opponent [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei believes the biggest challenge for Malaysian shuttlers at the Malaysia Open is not the opposition, but the weight of expectation that comes with playing at home.

In the wake of another title-less outing for the hosts, the 12-time Malaysia Open champion said pressure on home soil can be more difficult to manage than competing abroad.

Malaysia's struggles at the just-concluded Malaysia Open reflect that reality.

Second seeds Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah were eliminated in the women's doubles second round, while mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei exited in the quarter-finals.

Men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik came closest to ending the drought, reaching the final on Sunday before losing to in-form South Korea's world No. 1 Seo Seung Jae-Kim Won Ho.

"Not all players can perform under pressure when competing on home soil," said Chong Wei, who is now the Badminton Association of Malaysia Performance Committee chairman.

"Some can, some cannot. Playing at home is supposed to be an advantage, but the pressure on your shoulders is actually much heavier."

Chong Wei's assessment carries authority.

He remains the last Malaysian to win a Malaysia Open title, defeating Japan's Kento Momota at his prime in the 2018 final.

Over his career, Chong Wei won 69 international titles.

Even for him, playing at home was never comfortable.

"If you ask me, I didn't really enjoy playing at home either," he said.

"At home, we wanted to give more, to perform better for the fans, for ourselves and for the country."

Chong Wei explained that pressure often leads to technical lapses rather than tactical errors.

"When there is pressure, simple mistakes happen. Movements become a bit slower. The body becomes stiff," he said.

"It's not intentional. It's the pressure.

"We have to learn how to turn pressure into motivation.

"That's the challenge for every athlete."

Chong Wei also revealed he spoke to Pearly-Thinaah after their second-round exit, finding both players in tears behind the scenes.

"When I went to see them, they were both crying," he said.

"I told them, if you want to cry or be angry, do it now. Tomorrow is a new day."

He stressed that emotional release must be followed by reflection.

"We lost one match. What's important is knowing why we lost and not repeating the same mistakes," he said.

"Next week is the India Open, then the Indonesia Masters. We have to look forward."