KUALA LUMPUR — The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is bracing for the worst, but still holding on to hope as national shuttler Ng Tze Yong faces an anxious wait to learn the extent of his latest injury.
BAM singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen admitted it is now “a race” against time following Tze Yong’s dramatic retirement from the Malaysia Masters today — just four tournaments into his return from a year-long layoff.
The 25-year-old had been leading Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long 22-20, 4-3 in the opening round when he collapsed on court, clutching his right knee in pain. He was unable to continue and required immediate medical attention.
“First of all, we have to wait and see what the results (scan) are tomorrow before I go down to saying it,” said Jonassen when met at the Axiata Arena.
“Obviously, we hope it’s something short-term, and then we will deal with it accordingly.
“It is in some way a race, but every time something new happens, we have to adjust and find potentially another way of thinking and doing things.”
Jonassen, however, remains cautiously optimistic.
“I keep my mindset positive that it’s a small thing — a small issue. Maybe it will cost a few tournaments, but then he can be back.
“Unless someone tells me differently, that’s the mindset I’m going to keep and believe in.”
Jonassen’s remarks come amid growing concern from fans over Tze Yong’s future, especially given his long road back from injury.
Tze Yong had missed most of 2024 with a lower back injury and underwent two surgeries before returning to action at last month’s Badminton Asia Championships.
BAM had applied for a protected ranking to support his comeback, but under BWF rules, players can only benefit from this status once every two years.
This means Tze Yong would not be eligible to apply for another protected ranking until 2027, should he be ruled out again.
To qualify for a protected ranking, players must be sidelined for at least three months and up to a year, during which they are not allowed to compete.
Once approved, the player can use their pre-injury ranking to enter BWF World Tour tournaments for up to six months, but it does not apply to seedings or other non-tour events.
In a further blow to Malaysia’s fortunes, the rest of the national singles line-up — Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, as well as women’s singles players K. Letshanaa and Goh Jin Wei — were all eliminated in the first round, ending the country’s singles campaign at the Malaysia Masters.
For now, all eyes remain on the results of Tze Yong’s medical tests and whether another painful chapter awaits Malaysia’s once-promising Olympic hopeful. — May 21, 2025
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