Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysian men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong’s frustrating search for his first victory of the year persists, as he was forced to retire from his opening round match at the Malaysia Masters today due to a right knee injury. The setback occurred during his encounter with Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
The 25-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries, started promisingly, clinching the first game 22-20. However, early in the second game, a misstep led to the unfortunate knee injury. Despite a valiant attempt to continue, Tze Yong was visibly in pain and ultimately had to concede the match while holding a slim 4-3 lead.
This latest injury comes just as Tze Yong was attempting to regain his footing in the competitive badminton circuit. He had only recently returned to action at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, in early April, after a recurring back injury had sidelined him for nearly a year, necessitating two surgeries.
The Malaysia Masters marked his fourth tournament of the year, following earlier first-round exits at the Taiwan Open and Thailand Open. It was also at the Axiata Arena, during the Malaysia Open in January of last year, where his initial back injury occurred, leading to his prolonged absence.
Tze Yong’s continued struggles with injuries cast a shadow over his highly anticipated return, leaving fans and the badminton community hoping for a swift and full recovery for the talented shuttler.