Veteran mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie admit that the physical toll of the tour has become their toughest challenge as they continue competing at the highest level.
At 35 and 32 respectively, Soon Huat and Shevon are among the oldest pairs inside the world’s top 10 mixed doubles rankings, competing against rivals who are mostly under 30. The age gap has made matching the speed, intensity and recovery levels of younger opponents increasingly demanding.
The 2025 season saw the Malaysians take part in 22 tournaments, including national duty at the Asia Mixed Team Championships in Qingdao earlier this year. Despite managing their schedule by skipping several Super 500 and Super 300 events, the relentless calendar has left little room for proper recovery.
Shevon admitted the pace has been overwhelming, especially for senior players, noting that constant travel and competition make it difficult to rest, reset and rebuild physically.
Although they did not lift a title this year, Soon Huat-Shevon described 2025 as one of their most consistent seasons. They reached the quarter-finals 11 times and made two semi-final appearances, results they see as solid but still short of their own expectations.
As athletes under the elite Road to Gold programme, the pair recognise the responsibility to deliver stronger performances. With tougher criteria coming in 2026 — including the need to stay within the world’s top eight to remain in the programme — they are determined to push harder.
Shevon acknowledged that pressure and expectations have sometimes weighed them down mentally, contributing to periods of stagnation. She stressed the importance of managing that mindset better moving forward, focusing first on performance and trusting that results will follow.
Despite the physical and mental challenges, Soon Huat and Shevon remain committed to pressing on, ready to face an even tougher season ahead.
