THE lack of results from Malaysian shuttlers in two tournaments in Bali has left fans wondering whether they are saving their best for next month's World Championships in Huelva, Spain.
It remains to be seen if the players are indeed holding back to peak for the world meet.
Having played in five back-to-back tournaments prior to last week's Indonesia Masters, it would be difficult for them to be in tip top condition for the World Championships.
The Indonesian leg of the World Tour will conclude next week with the BWF World Tour Finals, before the qualified players head to Spain.
At the Indonesia Masters, the first of three tournaments on the Indonesian leg, Malaysia had two men's doubles - Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi - in the semi-finals, while at the ongoing Indonesia Open, Malaysia's interest ended in the quarter-finals on Friday.
National men's doubles head coach, Flandy Limpele, who is also the team manager, told Timesport that staying fit and injury free is the biggest concern for the team.
However, the Indonesian does not believe that the players play in tournaments to lose.
"I don't believe anybody would play in a tournament to lose. The players may be cautious, and they probably don't want to exert themselves before the world meet.
"Having said that, players from other countries have also played in back-to- back tournaments, so it really depends.
"If the opportunity to win is there, the players should go for it.
"For now, we need to make sure we stay injury free and avoid contracting Covid-19," Flandy said.
The national players have not returned to Kuala Lumpur since leaving the country in September for the Sudirman Cup in Vantaa, Finland.
Meanwhile, in the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open yesterday, South Korea's women's singles An Se Young checked into her second consecutive final in Bali after beating Thailand's Pornpawee Chocuwong 21-19, 21-19.
The Indonesia Masters champion will face another Thai shuttler, former world champion Ratchanok Intanon, in the final today. Ratchanok defeated former world champion, P.V. Sindhu of India, 15-21, 21-9, 21-14 in the semi-final.
In the mixed doubles final, Indonesia Masters champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand will face Japan's Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino.