KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — National top women’s doubles player M. Thinaah described their 2022 French Open triumph in Paris on Sunday (October 30), as a meaningful win after they went through various episodes including what had happened to her partner Pearly Tan recently.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist via Instagram post today also thanked the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) coaching staff, family and all badminton fans for their never-ending and strong support to them.
“No words can describe how we feel and how much this really meant to us, especially after what my partner @_pearlytan went through last month. This win is not only for us but for all of you that always had hope for us.
“Just want to say thanks to my partner for giving her best and being by my side throughout the whole journey!” Thinaah said in the post.
Pearly, on the other hand, was glad to return to action and do things that she loved again after she sustained a hamstring injury at the 2022 Japan Open, last month.
“Now I understand that sometimes after losing something, something more worthwhile is waiting for you,” Pearly said.
Pearly’s injury saw her end her fight with Thinaah when they faced South Korean pair Baek Ha Na – Lee Yu Lim in the second round of the 2022 Japan Open tournament held at the Maruzen Intec Arena, Osaka.
In the French Open, the unseeded pair upset fourth seeds and two-time world champions Mayu Matsumoto – Wakana Nagahara of Japan 21 – 19, 18 – 21, 21 – 15 in the final, thus becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to win the French Open title.
For the record, the closest a Malaysian women’s doubles pair got to the French Open title was in 2008 when Wong Pei Tty – Chin Eei Hui emerged as runners-up.
— Bernama
