Mаlауѕіаn nаtіоnаl mіxеd doubles shuttler Hоо Pаng Rоn іѕ dеtеrmіnеd tо rаіѕе hіѕ gаmе аnd brеаk frее frоm рrеdісtаbіlіtу bу іnjесtіng mоrе сrеаtіvіtу аnd strategic vаrіаtіоn іntо hіѕ performances.
The 27-year-old, who partners with Cheng Su Yin in the mixed doubles circuit, has candidly admitted that their recent form has not met expectations. Despite showing promise in the past, the pair are now struggling to make a deep impact in tournaments, prompting a reassessment of their playing style.
Struggling with Predictability
“We’ve definitely hit a rough patch lately, and I’m honestly not satisfied with how I’ve been playing,” Hoo said during a session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM). “Our performance has declined since last year’s China Masters final, and I believe many opponents have started to read and anticipate our tactics. Our game has become too predictable.”
The world No. 13 mixed doubles duo reached the final of the 2023 China Masters, where they fell to China’s formidable duo Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping. That final was a high point, but since then, the results haven’t lived up to expectations.
Underwhelming Results and Injuries
So far in 2024, the pair have struggled to advance beyond the early rounds in most tournaments. They managed to reach only the quarter-finals in the Indonesia Masters and Orleans Masters, and suffered a second-round exit at the German Open.
Worryingly, their last three campaigns — at the prestigious All England Open, Asian Championships, and Thailand Open — all ended prematurely, with first-round eliminations.
To compound matters, injuries have taken a toll. Hoo sustained a hamstring injury during the Thailand Open, while Su Yin suffered an ankle injury, which forced their withdrawal from the Malaysia Masters last month.
Focused on Recovery and Reinvention
Despite thе ѕеtbасkѕ, there іѕ a silver lining. Pаng Ron іѕ making progress іn hіѕ recovery and taking a саutіоuѕ аррrоасh tо avoid аggrаvаtіng hіѕ injury furthеr.
“I’m gradually coming back from the hamstring injury, but there’s no urgency to rush back onto the court,” he said. “I felt pain during the Thailand Open, and after medical consultation, the advice was clear — take time to rest and recover. It’s actually a good chance for both Su Yin and I to reset mentally and physically.”
He added, “We haven’t had good results lately, and it does affect our mental state. Hopefully, with time to reflect and regroup, we’ll be ready to come back stronger next month.”
Looking Ahead: A Possible Japan Open Return
The pair are currently evaluating their fitness and may target the upcoming Japan Open, scheduled for July 15–20, as their comeback event. However, Hoo clarified that participation is still uncertain due to ongoing injury recovery.
“If everything goes well, we’ll consider the Japan Open. But at this point, our priority is to be fully fit and bring something new to our game.”
Hoo stressed the importance of working closely with their coach to introduce new tactical elements and break free from patterns that have become too familiar to opponents.
Reinvention is Key
As the competition intensifies on the global stage, adaptability is key to survival and success. For Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin, the road back to top form won’t be easy — but with renewed focus, recovery, and a refreshed playing strategy, the duo hopes to reclaim their edge and reestablish themselves as strong contenders in international badminton.
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