The Malaysian badminton community was hit with a wave of disappointment this week following the withdrawal of two promising national mixed doubles pairs — Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei and Hoo Mei Xing–Teoh Pei Kee — from the 2025 Hylo Open in Saarbrücken, Germany. Both duos were forced to pull out due to injuries that disrupted their preparations and left the national coaching staff with difficult decisions just days before the tournament’s first serve.
The Hylo Open, part of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 300 circuit, has often been a proving ground for emerging pairs looking to boost their rankings or fine-tune their form ahead of the season’s final stretch. For Tang Jie–Ee Wei, who have been Malaysia’s leading mixed doubles partnership in recent months, this setback comes at an especially frustrating time. Meanwhile, for Mei Xing–Pei Kee, who were building valuable experience on the European tour, the withdrawal halts what had been a steady upward progression.
Their absences not only leave a gap in Malaysia’s campaign but also serve as a reminder of the toll that relentless travel, training, and competition can take on elite athletes.
A Double Blow for Malaysia’s Mixed Doubles Squad
The Malaysian team management confirmed the news late on Monday through a brief statement issued by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). The announcement noted that both pairs were withdrawing “on medical advice” after recent assessments revealed that competing would risk aggravating their respective injuries.
“Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei have been dealing with minor injuries since the French Open last week. Our medical team advised them to rest and undergo treatment instead of continuing to play in Germany,” the statement read. “Similarly, Hoo Mei Xing and Teoh Pei Kee have been managing muscle strain issues and will also skip the Hylo Open for full recovery.”
The double withdrawal came as a blow to Malaysia’s hopes of strong representation in the mixed doubles category. With Tang Jie–Ee Wei ranked among the world’s top 15 pairs, they were widely seen as legitimate contenders to reach at least the semi-final stage.
For Mei Xing–Pei Kee, the Hylo Open had been scheduled as a valuable opportunity to gain international exposure, especially as they aim to break into the world’s top 50 by the end of the season.
Tang Jie–Ee Wei From Promising Form to Frustrating Pause
The withdrawal is particularly disappointing for Chen Tang Jie and Ee Wei, who were showing signs of renewed confidence after a series of impressive performances in recent tournaments. The pair had made quarter-final appearances in both the Denmark Open and French Open, defeating several higher-ranked opponents along the way.
However, the pair’s momentum began to waver after Tang Jie reportedly picked up a shoulder strain during the French Open quarter-final clash against the Chinese duo Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping. Ee Wei, meanwhile, had been managing a recurring calf issue that worsened during training in Saarbrücken.
Their decision to withdraw, though painful, was seen as a sensible one. Playing through injury in back-to-back tournaments could have led to longer-term problems.
“We wanted to play, but after consulting the physio, we knew it wasn’t the right choice,” said Ee Wei in a short statement posted to her social media. “It’s never easy to pull out, especially when we were feeling good about our form, but our priority is to be fit for the coming tournaments.”
Their coach, Rexy Mainaky, also supported the decision, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning over short-term gain. “They’ve been playing continuously for several weeks,” he said. “Both are carrying knocks, and it’s better to stop now rather than risk a more serious injury. Our focus is on ensuring they recover fully before the next series.”
The Toll of a Grueling Season
The 2025 BWF World Tour calendar has been relentless, with players navigating an almost non-stop sequence of tournaments across Asia and Europe. For Malaysian shuttlers, this year’s schedule has been particularly demanding due to the Olympic qualification cycle, which runs until mid-2025.
Tang Jie–Ee Wei, in particular, have been under pressure to maintain their ranking position to secure a potential qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while simultaneously trying to manage the wear and tear of a packed schedule.
Physical fatigue and minor injuries have become recurring themes not only for Malaysian athletes but across the badminton world. The demands of modern badminton — explosive movements, repeated lunges, and lightning-fast rallies — place immense strain on joints and muscles.
According to BAM’s head physiotherapist, Dr. Ahmad Farhan, the duo’s injuries were “not severe but significant enough to warrant rest.” He elaborated:
“Both players have been on the road for nearly two months. Even small strains can worsen without proper recovery. The safest course of action is to pull them out now and allow treatment and rehabilitation to take place.”
Mei Xing–Pei Kee Learning Curve Interrupted
While the withdrawal of Tang Jie–Ee Wei made headlines due to their stature, the absence of Mei Xing and Pei Kee also carries implications for Malaysia’s future development in mixed doubles. The young pair, who began partnering less than a year ago, were starting to show encouraging signs of chemistry and improvement.
Under the guidance of assistant coach Rosman Razak, they had steadily climbed the rankings and notched several notable victories at the Indonesia Masters Super 100 and Vietnam Open earlier this season.
Unfortunately, both players were nursing injuries sustained during their recent European tour. Mei Xing had been dealing with a thigh muscle strain, while Pei Kee complained of shoulder tightness after a long travel schedule combined with intense match play.
“They were really looking forward to competing in Germany,” said Rosman. “But sometimes, you have to think about the long-term picture. We don’t want these young players to develop chronic injuries at this stage of their careers.”
Despite the setback, the coaching staff praised the pair’s attitude and discipline. They are expected to resume light training within two weeks if their recovery goes as planned.
Strategic Implications for Malaysia’s Mixed Doubles Scene
The withdrawals of both pairs also force BAM to re-evaluate their short-term strategy in the mixed doubles department. With the Hylo Open now missing two of Malaysia’s primary representatives, attention may turn to backup pairs like Chan Peng Soon–Cheah Yee See or Tan Kian Meng–Lai Pei Jing, if available for selection in upcoming events.
Malaysia’s depth in mixed doubles has improved over recent years, but the absence of Tang Jie–Ee Wei highlights the gap between the top-ranked pair and the rest of the field.
Badminton analyst Shawn Wong noted:
“Tang Jie and Ee Wei have been Malaysia’s best bet to challenge at the highest level. Their chemistry and tactical understanding have matured significantly this season. Their withdrawal from Hylo Open means losing valuable ranking points, but recovery is more important at this stage.”
In the BWF ranking system, missing a Super 300 event might not drastically affect their standings, but it does limit their momentum heading into bigger tournaments like the China Masters and Korea Open later in the season.
How Injuries Can Derail Momentum in Professional Badminton
Injuries are an unavoidable part of professional sports, but in badminton — a sport that combines explosive speed, balance, and agility — even minor physical issues can drastically alter performance levels.
Former national shuttler Goh Liu Ying, who battled shoulder and knee injuries throughout her career, reflected on the challenges players face. “The schedule now is even tougher than before,” she said. “When you’re injured, you don’t just lose physical sharpness; your rhythm, timing, and confidence all take a hit.”
For doubles players, synchronization with a partner adds another layer of complexity. A slight physical limitation in one player — whether in movement speed or shot execution — can disrupt the entire partnership’s rhythm.
That’s precisely why Tang Jie and Ee Wei’s decision to rest is being viewed as prudent by many observers. A few weeks of missed action is preferable to risking months on the sidelines due to aggravated injuries.
The Road to Recovery
Both duos will now begin their respective rehabilitation programs at the National Badminton Academy in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. The plan includes physiotherapy, strength conditioning, and gradual return-to-court drills under the supervision of BAM’s medical and fitness team.
Ee Wei is expected to focus on calf muscle recovery and flexibility work, while Tang Jie will undergo shoulder stability training before resuming full practice sessions. Similarly, Mei Xing and Pei Kee will work on regaining mobility and muscle balance.
The coaching staff has outlined a cautious timeline, estimating a three- to four-week recovery window before either pair resumes competitive play. However, this will depend on their response to treatment.
“They’re young and resilient,” said head coach Rexy Mainaky optimistically. “We’re confident they’ll come back stronger. What’s important is that they listen to their bodies and don’t rush the process.”
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