National mixed doubles star Toh Ee Wei is hoping 2026 will bring renewed balance, better health and a rediscovery of joy on court as she and partner Chen Tang Jie prepare to open their Malaysia Open 2026 campaign on home soil.
Speaking after a court testing session at the Axiata Arena today, Ee Wei admitted that mounting expectations and self-imposed pressure have weighed heavily on her and Tang Jie in recent months, prompting a shift in mindset heading into the new season.
“Recently, we’ve put too much pressure on ourselves. Moving forward, we just want to enjoy playing badminton more,” Ee Wei told reporters.
The world champions, who etched their names into history by winning the 2025 World Championships in Paris last August, have found consistency harder to sustain since that triumph. Apart from lifting the Australian Open title in November, the pair were forced to settle for a bronze medal at the SEA Games Thailand 2025, despite entering the tournament as top seeds.
For Ee Wei, the Malaysia Open represents more than just the first Super 1000 event of the season—it is an opportunity to reset and reconnect with fans at home.
“We hope we can give our best performance here and bring happiness to the Malaysian supporters,” said the 25-year-old.
Beyond competitive targets, Ee Wei believes badminton still holds the power to unite Malaysians, especially when players perform with freedom rather than fear.
“When we enjoy the game and play with passion, I think people can feel it. Badminton can continue to bring Malaysians together,” she added.
Meanwhile, Tang Jie expects a challenging opening-round encounter against Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, despite holding a perfect 6-0 head-to-head record against the Indonesian pair.
“It’s always tough playing them. We know we can’t take anything for granted, so we’ll be fully prepared and give our all,” Tang Jie said.
The Malaysia Open 2026 runs from 6-11 January 2026 at the Axiata Arena, with Malaysian fans eager to see whether their world champions can begin the year on a high note.
Source : BERNAMA
Credit Photo : Kamarul Ariffin/THE STAR
