KUALA LUMPUR – National top women’s doubles shuttler Pearly Tan is entering the season opener Malaysia Open with increased confidence in her physical condition, thanks to a targeted strength and conditioning regime during the off-season.
Following injuries suffered towards the end of the previous season, the 23-year-old shuttler from Kedah, along with her partner M. Thinaah, had to withdraw from several tournaments.
Pearly’s setbacks included an elbow injury at the Singapore Open in June, which sidelined her from the Indonesia Open.
The world number 12 pair also conceded a walkover at the Arctic Open in Finland in October, after Pearly complained of a back problem during the Hangzhou Asian Games the month prior.
To address these issues, Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky implemented a strength and conditioning regime for Pearly to fortify her muscles and prevent injuries this season.
It seems that the new physical routine has worked positively for Pearly, as she expresses increased confidence in her current physical state.
“I feel much better now and am more confident in my body’s condition.
“Of course, I still need to do more exercises to maintain my physical shape so I can improve more.
“The work I have done has got me confident that I can stay injury-free this season,” she said when met at the Malaysia Open test court sessions at Axiata Arena, here today.
In the Super 1000 home event that runs from tomorrow until Sunday, Pearly-Thinaah have been drawn to meet tournament eight seeds Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning.
Despite the tough draw, the pair holds a 2-0 record against their Chinese opponents.
“They are an upcoming pair and rising stars, we just want to focus on our own game, communicate well and give our best,” said Pearly.
Pearly-Thinaah’s best finish at the Malaysia Open was reaching the round of 16 in 2022. – January 8, 2024