Having battled bouts of injuries, Influenza and most recently Covid, Pearly Tan has one big wish for the upcoming massive year in badminton which is to stay healthy and fit.
The national women's doubles shuttler had been plagued with various injury issues this year, and if that was not enough, Covid hit her two weeks ago.
The 23-year-old has now fully recovered and returned to full training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia to prepare for the upcoming Malaysia Open (Jan 9-14).
"I am injury-free, Covid free and now the focus is just on prevention. There's been plenty of ups and downs for me this year after being plagued through various injuries. Honestly it was not a good year for me, but it also taught me a lot.
"My main goal for next year is to improve my overall condition and muscles. I just want to stay injury free," she said.
The world number 12 shuttler alongside her partner M. Thinaah will open their 2024 season at the Malaysia Open against Chinese pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning in the opening round.
Tan-Thinaah have won both meetings against the eighth seeds this year at the Asia Mixed Team Championship and Japan Open, but the Kedahan is taking nothing for granted against their promising opponents.
"They are an upcoming pair, they are strong and fit. We will do our homework to be ready for them," she said, adding playing on home ground at the Axiata Arena always lifts the spirits of the pair.
"With the fans in full voice, it always gives us an added motivation. Playing in Malaysia gives us a different vibe and we will look to feed off that energy when we play," she said.
It is on home soil where Tan-Thinaah reached one of their two finals this year at the Malaysia Masters, with the other coming at the Hong Kong Open.
As for her relationship with Thinaah, Tan clarified the pair have great communication which has always been their strength.
The pair had an on-court communication breakdown at the China Masters last month, but Tan confirmed it is a thing of the past now.
The national women's doubles shuttler had been plagued with various injury issues this year, and if that was not enough, Covid hit her two weeks ago.
The 23-year-old has now fully recovered and returned to full training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia to prepare for the upcoming Malaysia Open (Jan 9-14).
"I am injury-free, Covid free and now the focus is just on prevention. There's been plenty of ups and downs for me this year after being plagued through various injuries. Honestly it was not a good year for me, but it also taught me a lot.
"My main goal for next year is to improve my overall condition and muscles. I just want to stay injury free," she said.
The world number 12 shuttler alongside her partner M. Thinaah will open their 2024 season at the Malaysia Open against Chinese pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning in the opening round.
Tan-Thinaah have won both meetings against the eighth seeds this year at the Asia Mixed Team Championship and Japan Open, but the Kedahan is taking nothing for granted against their promising opponents.
"They are an upcoming pair, they are strong and fit. We will do our homework to be ready for them," she said, adding playing on home ground at the Axiata Arena always lifts the spirits of the pair.
"With the fans in full voice, it always gives us an added motivation. Playing in Malaysia gives us a different vibe and we will look to feed off that energy when we play," she said.
It is on home soil where Tan-Thinaah reached one of their two finals this year at the Malaysia Masters, with the other coming at the Hong Kong Open.
As for her relationship with Thinaah, Tan clarified the pair have great communication which has always been their strength.
The pair had an on-court communication breakdown at the China Masters last month, but Tan confirmed it is a thing of the past now.
