Malaysia’s leading mixed doubles pairs have opted to skip the German Open in a bid to maximise their preparation for the prestigious All England Open in Birmingham.
World champions Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei and rising pair Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin will bypass the German Open to focus fully on the Super 1000 tournament in England.
National mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto said the decision was made after careful discussions with the players, with physical condition and performance readiness being the main priorities.
“We have already spoken to the players and decided to go straight to All England,” Nova said. “If we reach the final in Germany, we would only arrive in Birmingham late Sunday or Monday morning. It is better for us to focus directly on All England.”
He explained that the tight schedule between the two tournaments could place unnecessary strain on the players and affect their performance in Birmingham. By skipping Germany, the pairs are given more time to rest, train and recover.
Source: The Star
The approach differs from that of men’s doubles stars Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, who will compete at the German Open before heading to England.
Nova added that minor physical issues within the mixed doubles squad also influenced the decision.
“There are always small problems like minor injuries,” he said. “The important thing is that we are ready and focused when we play.”
The season has started with mixed results for the two pairs. Tang Jie and Ee Wei reached the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Open before winning the Indonesia Masters, showing their ability to recover from early setbacks.
Source: NST
In contrast, Pang Ron and Su Yin have yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals in their three tournaments this year. The extended preparation period is expected to help them regroup and improve consistency ahead of All England.
Despite the high expectations surrounding the tournament, Nova has urged his players to remain grounded.
“We are not talking about becoming champions first. We are talking about getting the best result,” he said. “Every match requires full focus, even against lower-ranked opponents.”
Both pairs suffered early exits at last year’s All England, and the coaching staff are determined to avoid a repeat.
After the Birmingham tournament, Pang Ron and Su Yin are scheduled to compete at the Swiss Open. Plans for Tang Jie and Ee Wei will be reviewed based on their physical condition and performance.
