Thinaah credits partnership success with Pearly to multilingual skill

Communication is a pivotal component for any key team players, but it’s priceless when your partner is multilingual and is able to converse in four languages, just like national women’s doubles shuttler M. Thinaah.

Partnering Pearly Tan, the Malaysians have been one of the best performers in the national team, having won the Swiss Open in March and qualified to the quarter-finals in their other three events this year.

It would have been extraordinary if Tan was able to bash out Tamil on court with Thinaah, but the latter’s Mandarin proficiency is just as special, and more importantly a crucial aspect in their partnership.

“The fact that she can speak Mandarin makes me feel more at ease,” said Tan with a laugh, as the duo spoke to Olympics Channel.

Thinaah is fluent in Bahasa Melayu, English, Tamil and of course Mandarin, which she picked up from her friends when she was studying at the Bukit Jalil Sports School.

“On court, during rallies, I think I speak Chinese more. But during the break, when we are discussing the game, I’ll mix English, Malay and Chinese.

“Of course, when we are tired, we don't know what language we are going to use. It just comes out, and thankfully she understands what I say,” said Thinaah.

Communication aside, they have grown consistently in other areas of their game to break into the top 20.

Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean are the pair who will feature at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, and Tan-Thinaah will be watching with interest as they plot their own Olympics journey.

“[Paris] 2024 is our main target. We are on the right path, but there’s definitely plenty for us to improve on. Being consistent during matches, being patient and reducing the simple mistakes,” they added.

After beating higher ranked opponents this year, the world number 19 duo are hungry for more giant-killing feats once the badminton season resumes after the Tokyo Olympics.

Ending the country’s two year title drought in women’s doubles after winning the Swiss Open is the platform they will aim to build upon.