Malaysian badminton star Lee Zii Jia has once again withdrawn from an international competition, pulling out of the upcoming Japan Open (July 15-20) as he continues to grapple with a persistent ankle injury. The news, confirmed by a check on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website, casts further uncertainty on the 27-year-old’s return to the World Tour.
Lee’s prolonged battle with the ankle injury began during the World Tour Finals in December. He attempted a comeback at the Orleans Masters in March, reaching the quarter-finals, but his subsequent first-round exit at the All England strongly suggested he had returned prematurely. Following that, Lee admitted he had rushed his recovery and committed to a longer break to heal properly.
His highly anticipated return was initially set for last month’s US Open, but that too was postponed. The Japan Open was then earmarked as his new target, only for that plan to be derailed by the ongoing injury concerns.
This extended absence from the international circuit has significantly impacted Lee’s standing in the badminton world. He has slipped to world No. 27, relinquishing his position as Malaysia’s top men’s singles player. That mantle is now held by world No. 25 Leong Jun Hao, highlighting the shift in the national badminton landscape.
Adding to the public’s concern, a recent series of black-and-white sketches posted by Lee on Instagram, devoid of captions, sparked widespread speculation about his mental health. However, National Sports Council director-general Jefri Ngadirin swiftly moved to allay these fears, stating that he had contacted Lee’s camp and received assurances that the Olympic bronze medallist was not in distress.
With more than half of the badminton season now concluded, the badminton fraternity eagerly awaits an official announcement on when Lee Zii Jia will be fit enough to make a sustained return to the World Tour. His health and well-being remain paramount as fans hope to see him back on court at full strength.