Rexy downplays communication issue between Pearly and Thinaah

PETALING JAYA: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has played down the lack of communication between women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah in the China Masters.

Something seemed amiss between Pearly and Thinaah in their first-round match against South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun-Kim Hye-jeong where the duo barely spoke to each other.

Pearly-Thinaah went on to lose narrowly 11-21, 21-15, 20-22 and netizens were quick to take to social media to question whether the pair had a falling out.

Rexy had responded to the questions and speculations by saying they were looking into the matter.

When asked to elaborate on this, the Indonesian said: “I don’t know exactly what happened (between Pearly and Thinaah) as I did not follow them to the tournament.

“They could have had a disagreement but I need to talk to coach Hoon (Thien How) first to find out what happened. They are not back from China yet.

“But if you ask me, this is not a big issue. It’s quite normal.

“Pearly and Thinaah have had issues before in the past but managed to resolve them well, so it’s not a big deal,” added Rexy.

Rexy also insisted that whatever issue Pearly-Thinaah had will not lead to them being split like men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani earlier in the year.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin had initially split in February, citing a lack of trust between them.

They had then resolved their problems and reunited in June.

“This is not the same as with Sze Fei and Izzuddin.

‘‘They felt like they wanted different things and has asked to be split,” said Rexy.

“After that, they realised that they were wrong and patched up their differences.

“I don’t want to assume anything about Pearly and Thinaah but will talk to them first.”