KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Uber Cup 2026 campaign has suffered a major blow after women’s doubles shuttler Pearly Tan was ruled out due to a recurring back injury.
The national shuttler expressed deep disappointment over her withdrawal, saying the decision was one of the hardest she has ever had to make as she would miss representing Malaysia in the prestigious team championship.
“I sincerely apologise for disappointing everyone. It is with a heavy heart that I announce I will not be able to compete in the Uber Cup this time,” she said in an Instagram post.
Pearly revealed that the back injury, first sustained in a previous tournament, has flared up again, forcing her to take a break to prevent further complications.
More distressingly, she disclosed that the same injury had previously come close to derailing her career around three years ago, making her latest setback even more difficult to accept.
“I have never wanted to leave the court. I will fight until the very last point, but this time my body is telling me to stop, and I have to listen,” she said.
She added that her absence from the squad was emotionally painful, particularly as she would not be able to stand alongside her teammates in a major international campaign.
“I will always support the team from afar and hope to come back stronger. For now, all I wish for is a healthy body so I can return to competition,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed that Pearly will not be part of the national squad for the Uber Cup due to her injury.
It was reported that BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the decision was made after a final assessment of the player’s fitness level.
“Pearly is not at a condition that allows her to perform at the required level. We had to make this decision to ensure the team is in the best possible shape,” he said. – April 16, 2026