Squash legend pens tribute to Thinaah, Tan

Squash queen Nicol David has written a touching tribute to Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair M Thinaah and Pearly Tan.

In a post on Instagram, she thanked them for bringing so much happiness over the past week, adding that she had a full heart that burst with pride for the team.

“I wish I could say something that could lift your spirits, but I know all too well losing is painful. I saw it in your eyes when the match ended and I knew that heartbreaking feeling of defeat, it’s a pain one can struggle to let go.

“Many don’t know how hard it was to play at the level you displayed this week, a few weeks ago, you were battling injuries, sickness and frustration but you always have each others’ back.

“The semi-finals were brutal and you put everything you had out there, everything to reach that final and poured yourselves out.

“I know that feeling of just pushing so hard and having nothing left, but you persevered and still fought your last match,” wrote Nicol who won the squash World Open a record eight times.

She said that a true team is one that rises to challenges and faces them head-on.

“I know this moment will be painful and it will hurt for some time… I can’t truly say or do anything to change that because it’s a process you will both have to go through, but what I can say is that when things settle, you will be able to see with different eyes and reflect with pride on what you accomplished.

“You both started the Olympics seeded outside the Top 8 in the world and yet you made history by becoming the first women’s pair to enter a semi-final in the Olympics, you made the World No 1 pair tremble to their feet, and you got fourth place.

“The journey has been absolutely beautiful, amazing, and made a whole country dream,” added Nicol.

Their historic journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics ended without a medal after losing 11-21, 11-21 to the world number four pair from Japan, Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida in the bronze medal playoff at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.

En route to the semi-finals, they bagged stunning victories over Japanese pair Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara and Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti from Indonesia, beating the record of Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, who advanced to the quarter-finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“When your match ended, you both crossed the court and hugged your opponents with love and kindness, that act said it all to me - it was gracious, humble and beautiful because, in your darkest moment, you were a better person, you both showed what true sportsmanship is all about and that moment will forever define you.

“You both are legends because you showed Malaysia and the world what values you two are made of, and I for one couldn’t be more proud.

“I love you girls, and I hope we can cry together, laugh together and remember this as a victory forever in our hearts and minds,” said Nicol.

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