KUALA LUMPUR: Playing at home shouldn't be seen as playing in a pressure cooker, badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek told the nation's top doubles pairs ahead of the Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena on Jan 7-12.
He said this as Malaysian shuttlers seldom do well in their own premier home event amid the great expectations from fans, but are more successful abroad.
Razif said in-form men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik should capitalise on home ground advantage to end the country's title drought at the Malaysia Open.
Lee Chong Wei was the last Malaysian to win the Super 1000 tournament in 2018, and Razif, himself, was a three-time Malaysia Open winner with Jalani Sidek (1985-1987),
Razif said either world No. 3 Sze Fei-Izzuddin or world No. 6 Aaron-Wooi Yik can get the job done this time.
The last local men's pair to win the Malaysia Open were Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in 2016.
"Home ground advantage is a blessing and not a bane for our players. Our top two men's pairs have the quality to end the drought at the Malaysia Open," said Razif.
"Fan support is a crucial factor, and our players must use that advantage to win the Malaysia Open this time.
"Sze Fei-Izzuddin won three titles in China, Japan and in Europe last year, and nothing should stop them from giving them the winning edge at home.
"Having beaten all the (world's) top pairs in recent months, Sze Fei-Izzuddin can create history for themselves.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik are former world champions and twice medallists at the Olympics. They have all the credentials to win the Malaysia Open.
"If they can win abroad, I don't see why they can't be successful at home."