KUALA LUMPUR: When world No. 6 women's doubles badminton star Pearly Tan steps off the court, she turns to an unexpected passion to unwind — Mobile Legends!
The 24-year-old Pearly, who partners with M. Thinaah, revealed that the popular mobile game helps her decompress after intense training sessions and matches.
"I love playing Mobile Legends. It's a great way to relax after a tense match or exhausting training session," Pearly shared at today's partnership signing ceremony between the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and Affin Bank at Menara Affin @ TRX.
"That, and catching up on sleep whenever possible," she added with a smile.
Her gaming partner? None other than mixed doubles star Toh Ee Wei, a close friend since their junior national squad days.
The pair's friendship dates back to their successful junior career, where they claimed silver medals at both the 2018 Asian Junior Championships in Jakarta and World Championships in Markham, Canada.
"I actually got 'Ah Toh' to download the game so we could play together," Pearly laughed.
Pearly expressed optimism about elevating her partnership with Thinaah in the coming year, building on their impressive 2024 season.
The duo, paired since 2019, participated in 18 tournaments, including 16 World Tour events. Their achievements include clinching the Hong Kong Open Super 500 title and securing runner-up positions at both the Korea Open Super 500 and Arctic Open Super 500.
Their crowning achievement came at the Paris Olympics in August, where they made history as Malaysia's first women's doubles pair to finish fourth.
"While I wouldn't call this our most satisfying year results-wise, it marked significant growth in our partnership," Tan reflected.
"We've developed stronger communication and learned to handle pressure better. Even during challenging matches, we support each other completely, which has led to several comeback victories. I'm excited to maintain this momentum into next year."
The pair's final challenge of the season awaits at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou next month.
After modest performances in their 2021 and 2022 appearances, where they managed just one win in six matches, they're determined to make their mark.
The stakes are high, with substantial ranking points and a potential US$210,000 (RM933,000) winner's purse up for grabs.
"The Finals may be the season's last tournament, but it's a crucial one," Thinaah emphasised.
"Qualifying among the top eight pairs for the third time is a privilege, and we're determined to give it our all and leave without regrets."