Not The Return Zii Jia Hoped For After 111-day Absence

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia made his long-awaited return to competition after a 111-day haitus today, only to face bitter disappointment as he crashed out of the Malaysia Open 2026 at the Axiata Arena here.

His 12-21, 17-21 defeat in a mere 39 minutes at the hands of young Indian player Ayush Shetty clearly showed that the former All-England champion was still far from his best physically, a fact he readily admitted.

“From what you could see today, I’m definitely not at 100 per cent yet. I’d say maybe around 50 to 60 per cent. I’m not very satisfied with my performance, but I also know my opponent is not an easy player. Last year, his results were very good and he is definitely an upcoming rising star,” he told reporters after the match.

In reviewing today’s match, the 28-year-old Malaysian was convinced he had tried his best, particularly in the second game, pointing out the tactical adjustments he made but noted how his physical condition became a limiting factor.

“I don’t think there was much more I could do. I already tried my best, especially in the second set where I tried to change tactics. But physically, I’m still not 100 per cent. You can see that it’s not quite there yet, I’m not fit enough at the moment,” he said as he acknowledged how his reflexes on court seemd to be slower.

Zii Jia also struck a positive tone as he conveyed his gratitude to local fans for their strong support during the match, something he said he sorely missed during his absence, and was determined to perform better at the upcoming India Open, from Jan 13 to 18, and the Indonesia Masters, from Jan 20 to 25.

Currently ranked 144th in the world, Zii Jia still benefits from a protected ranking of world number 8, allowing him to enter major tournaments for a limited period.

Zii Jia is attempting to make a comeback after taking withdrawing in the first round of the 2025 China Masters on September last year to focus on rehabilitation due to health and fitness concerns triggered by a back injury last year and a nagging ankle injury spanning back to the BWF World Tour Finals in December 2024.

-- BERNAMA