Lee Zii Jia admits it will be a challenge to adjust to life on the World Tour after he missed out on four months of competitive action, but the shuttler can't wait to get started.
Lee will be in action at the upcoming Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena this week, where he is set to face India’s Ayush Shetty in the opening round.
Advertisement
“I definitely have the confidence to come back. I am excited to start playing again, because it’s been some time. I need to control my excitement, and that will be important because there will be things that I may not expect,” he said.
2026 will be a big year for Lee, who had only played in five tournaments in 2025.
The 27-year-old is also seeking a big shot of confidence having only won two matches last year.
He will also begin the 2026 season with a new coach in Liew Daren after parting ways with former national shuttler Yeoh Kay Bin just before the year end.
Despite his lengthy layoff and battles with injuries, expectations remain high of Lee who is still touted as the country's best men’s singles shuttler.
In Lee’s prolonged absence last year, Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh who featured consistently on the World Tour failed to make a big impact.
This has prompted national men’s singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen to make a coaching restructure which could see Yeoh be drafted into the setup.
