Latest news with #Razif
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Razif warns Sze Fei-Izzuddin on world No.1 ranking
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.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Razif: Let Pearly-Thinaah go if they want to turn pro
KUALA LUMPUR: A title at this week's Thailand Open could hand Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah the leverage they need in their ongoing contract row with the BA of Malaysia (BAM). BAM has maintained its stance and refused to revise its contract offer to the women's doubles world No. 4 women's pair. However, former national star Datuk Razif Sidek believes the ball is now in the players' court. Razif said it's time for Pearly-Thinaah to make a firm decision on their future — whether to stay with BAM or turn independent. While he feels the pair may already be leaning towards going pro, he hasn't ruled out a turnaround, especially if major sponsors step in to ease tensions. Yonex, BAM's main equipment sponsor, could play a key role. Razif believes the Japanese brand would be reluctant to see one of the world's top women's doubles pairs walk away, especially if they end up signing with a rival brand. "BAM should let Pearly-Thinaah decide if they want to go independent," said Razif. "But as one of the top pairs, Yonex won't want to lose them to a competitor." "I believe there's still a way to resolve this, possibly with Yonex's help, and keep them within the BAM fold. "BAM also needs strong sponsor backing to sustain its national programme." Razif was also surprised by the pair's delay in responding to the contract offer, suggesting the prolonged silence may have made things worse. "Hopefully, they get a good result in Bangkok. That could convince BAM to revisit the matter and keep them onboard." Top seeds at the Super 500 event, Pearly-Thinaah are favourites to claim their fourth career World Tour title. The other top-10 contenders in the draw are Indonesia's Febriana Kusuma-Amalia Pratiwi (No. 8) and India's Treesa Jolly-Gayathri Gopichand (No. 10). The Malaysians open their campaign against world No. 120 Akari Sato-Hina Osawa of Japan. "With several top pairs skipping this tournament, Pearly-Thinaah must seize the chance to win," said Razif. "A win will boost their confidence and help them make a clearer decision on their future with BAM." BAM deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam and secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh are expected to meet the pair after the Thailand Open in a final bid to persuade them to sign the contract and remain under the national setup. The other Malaysian women's pairs in action in Bangkok are world No. 25 Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing and world No. 60 Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Razif critical of Rexy's mind-boggling move
KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek believes that the shocking decision to field world No. 4 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik instead of world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani against Japan on Thursday, led to Malaysia's painful loss in a Sudirman Cup group match in Xiamen, China. It ultimately resulted in Malaysia's failure to advance beyond the quarter-finals. Malaysia, as the runner-up to Japan in Group C, ended up facing China in the quarter-finals today. Malaysia were crushed 3-0 by the 13-time Sudirman Cup winners while Japan blanked Taiwan 3-0. Razif queried national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky's "overlooking" the past records of both Malaysian pairs against Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in opting for Aaron-Wooi Yik who eventually crumbled to a 12-21, 22-20, 23-21 defeat. Their loss led to Japan levelling the team score at 2-2 before Japanese women's doubles Mayu Matsumoto-Chiharu Shida clinched the winning point by beating Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah 21-18, 18-21, 21-18. Razif said that Aaron-Wooi Yik, who have a poor 8-2 head-to-head record against Hoki-Kobayashi, should not have been considered at all, while independent pair Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who crushed Hoki-Kobayashi in the Asian Championships two weeks ago, were the obvious choices. "A tactical bungle in the men's doubles had basically killed our chances of beating Japan in the group stage and avoiding China in the quarter-finals," said Razif. "It's not rocket science to look at the past records where Aaron-Wooi Yik are sure to struggle against Hoki-Kobayashi. Our pair have also lost four times to them in team events prior to yesterday's match against the Japan pair. "Sze Fei-Izzuddin may trail slightly (3-2) but they did beat Hoki-Kobayashi in straight games at the Asian championships. "Even Japan would have been surprised by our selection as I'm sure (Japan coach) Lee Wan Wah would have expected us Malaysia to field Sze Fei-Izzuddin. "It's quite surprising to see our coaches having such complicated thinking and muffing a golden opportunity. "We have already had a bonus when (Leong) Jun Hao won the men's singles and with the score already 2-0 up, I'm sure Sze Fei-Izzuddin could have used the momentum to wrap up the tie. "When you are playing in team event, the best with a strong past record should be fielded. Personal egos should be set aside where everyone should work as a team. "Whether they are independent players or are part of the BAM, you have to choose the best." Meanwhile, Razif urged BAM to have more options in the women's doubles as Malaysia are an open book with just Pearly-Thinaah to depend on. "Pearly-Thinaah have established themselves as one of the top pairs but they have limitations against certain combinations. With Malaysia tied 2-2 and our girls facing someone with a 12-1 record, we don't have much of a chance," added Razif. "We have to start focusing on younger pairs and build them for the future. Pearly-Thinaah are still there but we need to look beyond them and start having more depth in the women's doubles." Reserves Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting, making their international debut as a pair, were way off and even lost to Australia's world No. 84 Gronya Somerville-Angela Yu in straight games in Xiamen.
