Sunday, June 1, 2008
10:59 AM
It could be Paey Fern's farewell

Likely last S'pore Open for Tan, 34, who's still nervous in front of home fans

SINCE 1990, paddler Tan Paey Fern has been a permanent fixture in the national table tennis squad.

Yet, despite 18 years, she has yet to overcome pre-match jitters when playing before a home crowd.

Come next week's TMS Singapore Open at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall, the 34-year-old hopes to get rid of the butterflies from her tummy.

Said Tan: 'Maybe I'm afraid that I can't play well here. I want to do well in front of our supporters, so I give myself added pressure.

'The world No 99 is desperate to do well in the Singapore Open, which is also an International Table Tennis Federation Pro Tour event, for another reason - it might be her last.

But it will be no easy task, as the world's top 10 men and women paddlers will be in town.

The June 4-8 Singapore Open is the final Pro Tour event before the Olympics. It offers players the last chance to gain vital ranking points, which will determine their seeding at the Beijing Games in August.

Tan, who is considering retirement, said: 'These days, I cherish every single competition, more so than before.'

If anything, the mental and physical exertions of the game are beginning to take a toll on the defensive player.

She explained: 'Nowadays, my body takes a longer time to recover. I can feel it.

The 2004 Olympian, who has tasted success at the South-east Asia, Commonwealth and Asian Games, is planning to go into coaching when she hangs up her bat.

As hosts, Singapore will field 36 players. While the likes of world No 6 Li Jiawei, world No 7 Wang Yuegu and world No 9 Feng Tianwei will spearhead the Republic's charge, about half of the contingent are young local talents.

Among them are Jenn Lim, 18, and Zena Sim, 17.

Jenn, who has been training full-time since the start of the year, said: 'It would be good if we can upset some of the more prominent players.

Zena added: 'Being able to play with the pros will prepare us for other major competitions in the future.'

(Source: Straits Times)




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