Malaysian badminton fans will be disappointed to learn that rising star Ng Tze Yong has been ruled out of the prestigious All England Championships, scheduled to take place from March 11 to 16 in Birmingham, England. This news comes as a significant blow to Malaysia’s hopes in the men’s singles category, as Tze Yong has been a key player in the national badminton scene.
According to the latest player list released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), only two Malaysian men’s singles players, Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao, will be competing in the tournament. Another Malaysian shuttler, Justin Hoh, is also listed, but his chances of participating remain slim, as he is currently 13th on the reserve list.
Tze Yong’s absence from the All England Championships is due to a persistent back injury that has plagued him since early last year. This injury has significantly disrupted his playing schedule and has kept him off the court for extended periods. In 2024, Tze Yong managed to compete in only three tournaments: the Malaysian Open, the Asia Team Championships, and the Asian Championships.
Unfortunately, his campaigns in the first two tournaments were cut short, as he was forced to withdraw mid-competition due to his deteriorating physical condition. This has raised concerns about his ability to recover fully and return to peak performance.
Despite these setbacks, Tze Yong’s coach, Kenneth Jonassen, remains optimistic about his recovery. Jonassen has assured fans and stakeholders that the coaching team is working tirelessly to help Tze Yong regain his fitness and return to competitive play.
However, time is of the essence, as Tze Yong’s protected ranking, which is based on his previous world ranking of No. 18, is set to expire in April. Any further absence from competition could have a severe impact on his world ranking, which has already plummeted to 272 due to his prolonged inactivity.
Jonassen emphasized the importance of careful planning to ensure Tze Yong’s return to the court before his protected ranking expires. “His protected ranking will expire in April, and we are planning accordingly. The goal is to compete before the end of April,” Jonassen explained.
He added that the team will only enter Tze Yong into tournaments when he feels fully ready, but they are also mindful of the impending deadline. “We will only enter him for tournaments when he feels ready, but of course, we are keeping the end of his protected ranking in mind,” Jonassen reiterated.
If Tze Yong is able to make a comeback by April, he will still have the opportunity to compete in top-tier tournaments on the BWF World Tour calendar. This would be a crucial step in rebuilding his ranking and regaining his form ahead of future major competitions.
However, his absence from the All England Championships is not the only tournament he will miss. Tze Yong will also be sidelined for the German Open, which takes place from February 25 to March 2, and the Orleans Masters in France, scheduled for March 4 to 9. These missed opportunities further highlight the challenges he faces in his recovery journey.
Tze Yong’s absence from the All England Championships is particularly poignant, as it was at this very tournament in 2023 that he made a stunning debut. In the 2023 edition, Tze Yong caused a major upset by defeating the top seed and world No. 1, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, in the first round. This victory was a testament to his potential and marked him as one of Malaysia’s most promising shuttlers.
Unfortunately, his journey in the tournament ended in the quarter-finals, where he was defeated by China’s Li Shifeng. Despite this, his performance at the All England Championships last year remains a highlight of his career and a reminder of what he is capable of achieving when fully fit.
