INDONESIAN coach Eng Hian has made an open apology to Malaysian national women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah over his remarks at the 2022 French Open last Thursday.

Hian said in an Instagram video that he had no intention of offending or insulting both women during the match against his charges, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, in the second round of the tournament at Stade Pierre de Coubertin.

“With total humility, I apologise to Malaysians Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, once again from the very depths of my heart, I am sorry for what I said,” he said.

In a video clip that went viral on social media, Hian had allegedly referred to the Malaysian pair as ‘black and white’ while giving courtside instructions to Febriana-Amalia.

Pearly-Thinaah beat the Indonesian pair 21-16, 21-14 before going on to upset third seeds, Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida of Japan 15-21, 21-14, 21-14 in the quarterfinals yesterday.

The 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games champions will face South Koreans Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee today for a chance to advance to the finals. – Bernama, October 29, 2022.