Sze Fei-Izzuddin warned being world No. 1 is just the beginning
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Razif Sidek has questioned whether newly crowned world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are struggling to cope with the weight of expectations at the top.
The men's doubles pair suffered another blow on Friday, falling in the Singapore Open quarter-finals to Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India, extending their run of five consecutive events without a semi-final appearance.
"They're not handling the pressure well," said Razif bluntly.
"Becoming world No. 1 is easier than staying there. Everyone wants to beat you once you're on top, and they look like they're struggling to deal with that."
The Malaysians soared to world No. 1 on May 27 after winning three World Tour titles since turning professional and leaving the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in September last year.
But their form has dipped since lifting the Super 750 India Open in January, with recent defeats and early exits raising concerns.
Razif, who famously topped the world rankings in 1990 with his brother Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek, believes the pair have lost their spark and need to urgently regroup.
"They need to check and balance everything. Re-strategise, and figure out how to maintain their performance," he added.
"They used to be sharp and dangerous. Now, they're looking a little lost."
Razif pointed out that tough draws in recent tournaments may have contributed, but insisted there's no excuse for the lack of intensity.
"They're an attacking pair. That requires power, endurance and consistency, and I don't see that right now," said the former All England champion.
"They've clearly dropped off physically. They're not as offensive as they were post-Paris Olympics. Pressure may be one part of it, but they need to meet the physical demands that come with being the best."
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will head into the Indonesia Open Super 1000 in Jakarta next week as the top seeds with a target on their backs.
They open against Taiwan's world No. 20 Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen, and are expected to face China's Xi Hao Nan-Zheng Wei Han (No. 30) and Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza Isfahani (No. 8) before reaching the business end.
For now, Razif's message is clear — being No. 1 is not the finish line, it's just the beginning.
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