Tze Yong will miss Thomas Cup, set to undergo another surgery
Henry Larsson
April 19, 2024 05:59 MYT
April 19, 2024 05:59 MYT
Ng Tze Yong has suffered yet another setback and he will miss out on the upcoming Thomas Cup after it was revealed the shuttler has developed a rare condition post-surgery, and needs another surgery.
“Following consultation both with the National Sports Institute doctor as well as the doctor who operated on him, Tze Yong will now undergo a surgical approach to improve his symptoms and advance his rehabilitation.
"As a result, Tze Yong will have to undergo a surgery and has been excluded from the Thomas Cup squad,” read a statement from the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed Tze Yong’s withdrawal from the squad, and emphasized that BAM will not compromise on the shuttler’s health.
It has been a forgettable year for the 23-year-old, who has only played one full match this year.
Since then, Ng underwent a spinal disc surgery two months ago, and after that spent his time in rehab and soon after resumed light court training.
But Rexy had earlier this week expressed doubt on Ng’s participation at the Thomas Cup, after witnessing the shuttler had not been able to cover the entire court in training.
Ng’s exclusion has paved the way for national doubles’ shuttler Choong Hon Jian to join the centralized training with immediate effect.
This also means the line-up of the men’s singles at the Thomas Cup remains a question mark.
MALAYSIA ANNOUNCES #TUC2024 SQUADS ?? Malaysia’s challenge at the Thomas Cup will be spearheaded by former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. As the country’s top-ranked doubles pair, they will lead Malaysia’s campaign in Chengdu, China, from April 28 to May 5. Read… pic.twitter.com/ZIkAcbgacf
— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) April 12, 2024
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As it stands, Lee Zii Jia will play as the first singles, with Leong Jun Hao bumped up as the second singles.
The third singles is up for grabs with Cheam June Wei, Justin Hoh and even Choong standing a chance to play and impress.
Of the three, Cheam is the highest ranked at 64, while Hoh is 233 in the world.
Choong doesn't have a ranking in the men's singles, as he primarily plays in either the men's or mixed doubles.
Malaysia are in the same group as Denmark, Hong Kong and Algeria at the Thomas Cup which begins on April 28 in Chengdu, China.