Malaysia’s men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has a strong answer to critics questioning his decision to reshuffle the national pairs, with Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun capturing the French Open title.
The world No. 11 duo produced an impressive comeback in an all-Malaysian final, recovering from a 13-21 opening-game defeat to beat independent pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 21-15, 21-7. The victory ended Malaysia’s 22-year wait for the French Open men’s doubles crown.
The triumph was especially significant for Wei Chong and Kai Wun, who had spent nearly five months apart while the coaching team experimented with different combinations ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Wei Chong was also working his way back from a knee injury, making the title an important boost for the reunited partnership.
Herry’s reshuffle has faced plenty of scrutiny, particularly after some new combinations struggled to deliver consistent results. But Wei Chong and Kai Wun’s breakthrough shows that experimenting with partnerships can produce rewards, even if the long-term picture remains undecided.
