'We are back!': French Open champs Wei Chong-Kai Wun after ending 22-year wait

“We are back!,” exclaimed national pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun after they clinched the French Open crown to secure their biggest career title on Sunday after a thrilling three-game win.

Man-Tee overcame Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin 13-21, 21-17, 21-7 in an all-Malaysian men’s doubles clash to ensure the national contingent returned home with one silverware from Paris.

Their feat is more remarkable by the fact both shuttlers were separated in June as part of an internal coaching reshuffle.

They were reunited for good at last week's Denmark Open, where they crashed out in the first round.

So, what is their secret from suffering a first-round exit to winning a prestigious title containing a world-class field in the span of a week?

“We were the underdogs coming into this match. We just wanted to play our best. Honestly, we did not have a target as I (Man) had just recovered from a knee injury.

“We were partners for five, six years before this. We are back, and hope to keep this rhythm going,” said the pair, who pocketed RM287,000 in prize money.

Among the big name scalps who Man-Tee claimed include Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, Indonesia’s Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin and national team-mates Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who retired through injury.

Eventhough they were temporarily separated, Man and Tee actually found some success with their temporary partners.

Man earned a silver medal at the Korea Masters with Soh, while Tee won that Super 300 final with Yap Roy King.

Man-Tee’s French Open success also ends a 22-year wait for a Malaysian men’s doubles title in this Super 750 event, since Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Kiat did it back in 2004.