KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the advantage of playing on home turf, Tan Boon Heong, a two-time former champion, urged Malaysian shuttlers to keep their emotions in check when they compete in the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000 at the Axiata Arena starting today.
The 36-year-old Boon Heong, a two-time winner of the home Open in 2007 and 2010 with Koo Kien Keat, stressed the imperative is for local competitors to maintain emotional composure, as situations may turn hostile for them when the outcome doesn't favour them.
Boon Heong explained that although Malaysia is a badminton-loving nation with some of the best and most passionate fans in the world, it can, at times, have a reverse effect on players' morale, as players may feel the burden of carrying the high expectations from the fans.
"It's challenging to compete on home soil. While many assume that strong local support provides an extra boost for players to deliver their best, it can be the opposite and add pressure," said Boon Heong.
"Certainly, cheers on a good day are motivating, but it can reverse when performing poorly.
"I've experienced fans hurling unpleasant words, like 'balik lah' (go home), when on the verge of losing.
"Though they might be a minority, it's hurtful and detrimental to players on the court.
"So, I hope all our players are prepared for any eventuality and handle such situations well.
"You can't control what others think; just try to stay cool."
Boon Heong also shared his perspective on enhancing the enjoyment of badminton, suggesting that fans can appreciate the sport more by minimising expectations on the players they support.
"It's probably best if fans can enjoy badminton as a whole and not invest too much emotion into it. When a fan becomes overly serious about winning and losing, there's a tendency to get angry," said Boon Heong.
"Let us support our players wholeheartedly, cheering for them regardless of the outcome because, in the end, there can only be winners, and not everyone can be one all the time.
"Boon Heong hopes that one of the four Malaysian pairs — Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani — will be able to break the men's doubles title drought for the host.
Since Boon Heong-Kien Keat's victory in 2010, Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah were the only pair to achieve this feat in 2014.
"Anyone is capable of winning. The men's doubles competition has become a very open affair, and it's really hard to single out any favourites," said Boon Heong.
"The seedings are nothing but just a number."