Malaysia mix double players, Chan Peng Soon and Cheah Yee See in action during against the Thailand players, Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Phataimas Muenwong a the final match Bergamot KL Masters Malaysia Super 100 2023 at Stadium Titiwangsa on November 05.—AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Nothing will hold greater importance for mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See than relishing every moment of their last dance, free from pressure, at the Malaysian Masters.
The 36-year-old Peng Soon will hang up his racquet due to his age and body condition, while Yee See has also opted to step down after careful consideration.
It was a tough choice but Peng Soon-Yee See have confirmed that the Super 500 tournament starting today will be their swan song.
Peng Soon first combined with Yee See in 2017 for a brief spell while both were still in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
They reunited after five years being apart at the BAM and continued their journey as professionals at the end of 2022.
Their best achievement was winning the lower-ranked KL Masters in November last year.
In the home tourney, the world No. 37 Peng Soon-Yee See will open their campaign against Cheng Xing-Li Qian of China. If they manage to come out on top, the Malaysians will most probably face Indonesia’s world No. 19 Dejan Ferdinansyah-Gloria Emanuelle in the second round.
Peng Soon has been feeling pre-tournament nerves, but he is determined not to let it get the better of him.
“I am already satisfied with my badminton career, and I think it’s time to stop as I have been receiving signals from my body indicating that it’s time to end my game,” said Peng Soon, who won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with his former partner, Goh Liu Ying.
“I always feel nervous before every tournament and I think it is something normal.
“However, this time, I don’t want to think too much about the results as I just want to enjoy the game and cherish every last moment on the court. We aim to give a good performance for our fans.”
The BAM organised a ceremony to honour the retirement of Liu Ying at the Malaysian Open in January but there’s no indication they may have one for him at the Malaysian Masters.
Peng Soon says he will hold no hard feelings if no ceremony is held for the same reason.
“So far, no one has reached out to me, and whether they choose to organise it or not is beyond my control,” said Peng Soon.
“For me, I don’t mind. Why would I be disappointed or upset if they don’t organise a ceremony for me?”
