KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Chen Tang Jie is unfazed by the constant tinkering with partnerships in the national mixed doubles department.
The 25-year-old is currently playing alongside Toh Ee Wei, his third partner in the past six months, but there was no indication that the latest partnership will be made permanent.
Teamed up only in late November, Tang Jie-Ee Wei clicked right away to win the Bangladesh International Challenge and finished second at the Malaysia International Challenge last month.
However, it remains to be seen if the partnership would last as newly appointed Indonesian coach Nova Widianto has said that he will have no qualms about ringing the changes again if he finds it necessary to do so.
Tang Jie had to start all over again after losing his long-term partner Peck Yen Wei, whom he won the Sea Games gold and scaled the career-best world No 21 with, through retirement last year.
Prior to joining forces with Ee Wei, Tang Jie did enjoy a brief yet fruitful combination with Valeree Siow, where they made it to the quarter-finals of the Indonesia Open and Singapore Open.
"As a national player, we placed our full trust in the coaches. After all, it's their prerogative to decide on the partnerships based on who they think forms the best combination," said Tang Jie.
"Sometimes, we may think that we're doing well on the court, but the coaches may have different assessments because they see things from a bigger perspective.
"So, it's not for us to insist on who we want to partner with. A player who is indeed world-class should be able to make it big regardless of who your partner is."
Ee Wei, who had also played with Chan Peng Soon and Hoo Pang Ron last year, echoed Tang Jie's sentiment.
"Since the coach decided to pair us up, we have to trust and repay his faith in us by giving our 100 per cent commitment to make the partnership works," said Ee Wei.
"No matter who we combine with, we have to fight as a team."
Following an inspiring start last month, Tang Jie and Ee Wei will have their sights set firmly on impressing on the bigger stage when they compete in the Petronas Malaysia Open next Tuesday.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will open their campaign against senior independent pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, the world No 6.
A strong outing in the first few tournaments of the season would be crucial to convince Nova and doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky to make their partnership permanent.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei will relish playing together as they had once claimed bronze at the World Junior Championships in Bilbao, Spain in 2016.