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Malaysia Open: home advantage poses double-edged sword for shuttlers | Scoop
Acknowledging the tough competition at the Malaysia Open, former world number one men’s doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong urges players to quickly adapt to the environment and use the substantial prize money as motivation for excellence on the court. – Alif Omar/Scoop pic, January 9, 2024
Sports

Malaysia Open: home advantage poses double-edged sword for shuttlers

Former world number one men’s doubles shuttler says players face difficulties posed by home crowd's expectations, advises maintaining focus during matches

Main Author Image
Faizal Salim
Updated
10:41 AM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Facing the home crowd presents a significant challenge for Malaysia’s shuttler, said former world number one men’s doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong. 

In the quest to end Malaysia’s barren run at the Malaysia Open, which starts today at the Axiata Arena, the former All England champion and partner Koo Kien Keat advised players to focus on their match and not be swayed by any unruly comments from the stands.

“Playing at the Axiata Arena is not easy; there is some pressure playing in front of the home crowd.

“I have experienced that when things are not going well on the court, there will be fans who will be upset with me and are not shy about expressing their feelings.

“Hearing comments like that can disturb you, so our players need to focus and not let these comments affect them. You can’t control the fans.

“I just hope that the fans will give our players all the support they need because every player is working hard to win, but not everyone can be the champion,” said Boon Heong when met at the Malaysia Open test court sessions at Axiata Arena here recently. 

The last Malaysian to win the Malaysia Open was Datuk Lee Chong Wei in 2018, holding the record for the most titles with 12.

Boon Heong, a two-time winner himself, recognised the tough competition at the Super 1000 tournament and said it would not be easy for Malaysians to secure victory on home turf.

“It is not easy to win the Malaysian Open, only Datuk Lee Chong Wei could win it multiple times, I myself could only win it twice.

“All eyes will be on our players in the first and second rounds, so they need to quickly adapt to the environment,” he said.

The significant prize money at the Malaysia Open, which offers a total prize pool of US$1.3 million (RM6,045,266), has got the doubles specialist thinking of a return to the court.

“Because of the prize money, I definitely thought about making a return, but unfortunately, that can only happen in my dreams.

“Compared to my playing days, when I won the All England, the prize money was just US$14,000 (RM65,000),” he added.

As such, he urged current players to use the substantial prize money as motivation for their own excellence on the badminton court. – January 9, 2024

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