Arif and Haikal to test renewed partnership at three Indian events
National men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi says the former world No. 18 pair have no specific target during the trial.
Wan Arif Junaidi and Haikal Nazri are returning to the badminton court as partners after a three-year separation. National men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi will use three tournaments in India to assess the reunited pair, beginning with the Super 300 Syed Modi International on Nov 10-15.
Their schedule also includes two Super 100 events: the Guwahati Masters on Dec 1-6 and the Odisha Masters on Dec 8-13. Herry said he had not set a specific target and would treat the campaign as a trial, with no decision yet on whether the partnership would continue.
Herry said observations of their other combinations had prompted the reunion. He cited their seniority and individual ability as reasons to give them another opportunity, while noting that they previously played together under a different coach and their styles might have changed.
Arif and Haikal reached world No. 18 before separating in 2023. Arif went on to partner Yap Roy King and has also played alongside Kang Khai Xing and Faiq Haziq Masawi. His only title over the past three years was the 2024 Macau Open. Haikal won the 2023 Syed Modi International and Guwahati Masters with Choong Hon Jian, followed by the 2024 Orleans Masters, before injuries interrupted their progress.
