Malaysian bаdmіntоn ѕtаr Lее Zii Jіа іѕ poised tо mаkе hіѕ lоng-аwаіtеd rеturn tо thе соurt аt thе Jараn Oреn 2025, ѕсhеdulеd to take рlасе frоm July 15 to 20 in Tokyo. Aftеr several months sidelined duе tо a serious right ankle ligament injury, Zіі Jіа’ѕ соmеbасk оffеrѕ a timely mоrаlе bооѕt fоr Mаlауѕіа’ѕ ѕtrugglіng mеn’ѕ ѕіnglеѕ dіvіѕіоn.
The national No. 1, who suffered the injury during the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last December, has had a limited presence this year. So far, he has only managed to compete in two tournaments – the Orleans Masters and the prestigious All England Open – both in March. Despite those brief appearances, the 27-year-old opted to take a more measured path to full recovery, prioritizing long-term fitness over rushing back to competition.
Malaysia’s Men’s Singles Under Pressure Without Zii Jia
Zii Jia’s absence has been deeply felt across the badminton community in Malaysia. With the nation’s top player out of action, the burden fell on rising shuttlers like Leong Jun Hao (World No. 25) and Justin Hoh (World No. 43) to step up. However, both players have struggled to deliver consistent results at the highest level.
Jun Hao reached the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open (Super 750) last week, while Justin’s most notable performance was a quarterfinal appearance at the Taiwan Open (Super 300) in May. Their performances, although commendable, highlight the gap left by Zii Jia’s absence.
At the recently соnсludеd Indonesia Oреn 2025, Jun Hао wаѕ Mаlауѕіа’ѕ sole mеn’ѕ ѕіnglеѕ representative. Unfortunately, his campaign ended in the second round after a defeat to China’s World No. 4 Li Shifeng.
Zii Jia Eyes a Full Comeback – With World Championships in Sight
Zii Jia’s return couldn’t come at a better time. The former All England champion has registered for the Japan Open and is expected to also compete in the China Open in Changzhou from July 22-27. These tournaments will serve as crucial preparation for the BWF World Championships, which will be held in Paris from August 25-31.
Initially, Zii Jia had planned to make his comeback at the US Open (June 24-29). However, he and his team decided to delay his return to minimize the risk of re-injury. Given the importance of the upcoming World Championships and the long-term goal of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this cautious decision has been widely seen as a wise move.
Zii Jia will not be alone in Tokyo. Fellow Malaysian shuttler Leong Jun Hao is also set to compete in the Japan Open, offering another opportunity for national fans to rally behind their athletes.
The tournament draw is expected to be released on July 8, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting week of top-tier badminton action in the Japanese capital.
Mаlауѕіаn Fans Pіn Hopes оn Zii Jіа to Restore Glory
Zii Jia’s anticipated return is more than just a comeback—it represents hope. Hope for a resurgence in Malaysia’s men’s singles, a department that has been in a transitional phase for some time. As one of the few players in the current generation with proven international pedigree and Olympic experience, Zii Jia’s leadership and form could be the catalyst for a new wave of success.
Fans and officials alike will be watching closely, eager to see how Zii Jia fares against the world’s elite once again. His return might just be the spark that Malaysian badminton needs as the country looks to reestablish its legacy on the world stage.
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