He said knowing that it was not easy to defeat Indonesia’s top pair, nicknamed The Daddies, he had advised Aaron and Wooi Yik to opt for longer rallies and not to rush in receiving the returns.
“We could see how good Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan played from the first round to the semi-finals, they even dominated the first set today,” Rexy said in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation.
“I told Aaron-Wooi Yik that, in terms of speed, they are better and can challenge Ahsan-Hendra, but they need to build self-confidence,” he said.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, ranked world number six, scored a 21-19, 21-14 victory against three-time world champions Ahsan-Hendra of Indonesia for their maiden international title.
It also ended Malaysia’s 45-year wait for a world championship crown, just days ahead of the National Day celebrations on Aug 31.
Rexy said that since he returned as deputy coaching director of the Badminton Association of Malaysia last October, he had focused more on setting a winning mindset and building confidence for Aaron-Wooi Yik.
“If we talk about their level, we don’t talk much about the skills and techniques, there’s nothing much to change over there. Only the things like how they believe when playing against top-class players, thoughts like ‘with my skills, I can compete against anyone.’
“Then try to reduce their unforced errors and negative thoughts. Just all these things I needed to improve (in them)…So when all these things connect, the skills come out,” he added.
Commenting on the criticism of the shuttlers for being jinxed in failing at the semi-finals, Rexy said such criticism should only serve to build a stronger mentality for the athletes.
Asked about his feelings when his charges bagged the world title, Rexy said he felt excited, like a ‘bedridden and sick person suddenly got cured, and was able to run again’.
“They’re the first Malaysians to win the title, so thanks to them. I keep telling them, just play for yourself and your parents, and in Aaron’s case – his wife and kids. When you’ve done that, and then this is for the country, because everyone will celebrate that.
“I am very proud of that, and to be honest, I have to say thanks to God, because for the whole week I have been praying to God, asking his blessings for the players to deliver the first title for Malaysia,” he said.