A stronger Mew Choo in Beijing

WONG Mew Choo is a perfectionist on court but this has brought her more disappointment than success. However, national singles coach Misbun Sidek reckons the Beijing Olympics will witness a changed Mew Choo, one who will battle hard to achieve her goals.

Misbun said Mew Choo, whose strength is her smooth movement on court, gets frustrated when she makes unforced errors and often gives up but she has worked hard to change.

Misbun has had Mew Choo focusing on long rallies in training, as this has been her weakness in the past.

"The top players at the moment all rely on long rallies rather than opting for skills and Mew Choo needs to be solid in this area.
"This is the change we will witness in the Olympics," said Misbun.

"She already has variation in her game but she gets frustrated when she makes unforced errors. Players from China and Europe have this advantage and Mew Choo is now getting ready to play long matches.

"Mew Choo has also been sparring with the men's back-up players and this has improved the quality of her strokes.

"She is also physically stronger and is able to keep up with the men."

The fact that China's top trio of Xie Xingfang, Lu Lan and Zhu Lin are all stroke players, has actually allowed a physically stronger Tine Rasmussen of Denmark to make a breakthrough on the international circuit this year.

Zhang Ning, who will play in Beijing instead of Zhu Lin, is the only player who relies on skills and her smashes but the 33-year-old reigning Olympic champion is not the same force any longer due to injuries and age.

Mew Choo is aware of this.

"I'm getting stronger after training with the men. They hardly give me any chance in training and I have improved a lot," she said.

"All I want is to maintain this performance and give my best in Beijing."

NST