KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time since posting a cryptic message on social media, national women's doubles shuttler Pearly Tan has come out to assure everyone that she is doing better after suffering a burnout.
Following a first round exit at the Swiss Open in Basel last month, Pearly posted the line, "Like you're not really happy but you don't want to die," from the song Numb Little Bug by Em Beihold on her Instagram story.
This has raised concerns about the 23-year-old's mental health.
Earlier, while explaining about social media red flags, Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) high performance director Dr Tim Jones felt that Pearly, apart from catching a virus after returning from Europe, had suffered a burnout.
Pearly, who makes up the world No 8 with her partner M.Thinaah, was then given a couple of days off.
But instead of wallowing in self-pity, the Kedah-born made a swift comeback and was recently announced as the first brand ambassador for health supplement brand, VitaHealth.
Whilst she is pleased to have overcome her struggle, Pearly stressed on the importance of taking a step back to rest and recover.
"In life there will be ups and downs," Pearly said when met at the upcoming Malaysia Masters announcement ceremony yesterday.
"I took a break and everything is calmer now. I just want to focus on ourselves and get back the momentum."
When asked further on what actually transpired after the Swiss Open, Pearly said: "They were lyrics in a song I really love. Yes, I was feeling some emotions.
"I just needed a break and have overcome it. We just need to believe that everything happens for a reason, and everything will be alright."
Before the Malaysia Masters on May 23-28, Pearly-Thinaah will head to Dubai for the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) next week.
After that it's back to Kuala Lumpur for centralised training camp before jetting off to Suzhou, China, for the Sudirman Cup on May 14-21.
Pearly-Thinaah, who clinched the French Open title last year, will open their BAC campaign next week against Thailand's world No 10 Jonkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai.