KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s top mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, have made it clear that past results will not dictate their mindset as they prepare for their opening match at the Malaysia Open 2026.
Despite holding a commanding 6–0 head-to-head record against Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah–Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, the world No. 4 duo insist there is no room for complacency when they step onto the court in the first round on home soil.
According to Chen Tang Jie, the idea of an “easy match” simply does not exist at this level of competition.
“It’s always difficult playing against them,” Chen said after a court-testing session at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. “What we can do is prepare the same way every time, give our best, and try to win the match.”
Every Match Starts at Zero
Chen acknowledged that previous encounters with the Indonesian pair were often tightly contested, with momentum frequently shifting during matches.
“These matches are usually decided by how we perform on the day,” he explained. “We can’t rely on past results. We just focus on doing our job on court and see how the match unfolds.”
His partner, Toh Ee Wei, echoed those sentiments, describing their preparations for the season-opening tournament as positive and well-structured.
Home Crowd Adds Motivation
Playing in front of Malaysian fans is something the pair are embracing rather than fearing.
“So far, everything in our preparation has gone well,” Toh said. “The most important thing is to give our best, especially because there will be many home supporters coming to cheer for Malaysian players.”
“We hope to put on our best performance for them,” she added.
World Champion Status Brings Balance, Not Pressure
As reigning world champions, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei are among the most closely watched pairs at the Malaysia Open. However, Toh stressed that the title has not added unnecessary pressure.
“Whether it’s before or after becoming world champions, our approach hasn’t changed,” she said. “We want to play our best badminton and enjoy the game, without putting extra burden on ourselves.”
Lessons from a Challenging 2025 Season
Reflecting on the past year, Chen described the 2025 season as a demanding period marked by injuries and a packed tournament schedule. However, he believes those challenges have contributed to the pair’s growth and consistency.
At last year’s Malaysia Open, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei advanced to the semi-finals before falling to China’s Feng Yan Zhe–Huang Dong Ping, who went on to claim the title.
As they return for the 2026 edition, the Malaysian pair are determined to apply those lessons — staying focused, disciplined, and respectful of every opponent — as they begin another campaign on one of badminton’s biggest stages.
