Fight club – Tze Yong and Zii Jia battle to be back

WHEN Ng Tze Yong collapsed on court with a knee injury at the Malaysian Masters in May, my heart sank.

Was this the final blow? Just over a year ago, he had fought his way back from a painful back injury and then, this.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, another surgery, another long road ahead.

The question wasn’t just about his physical recovery any more. It was whether he could survive the emotional and mental toll.

Woud he be able to pull himself up again after months of frustration, disappointment and coming through the rehabilitation programme?

Will he believe in himself again? Will there be the fear of getting injured again? Or will he just give it all up?

But this week, a single image from Doha replaced all those doubts with hope.

There was Tze Yong, less than a month post-surgery, doing light drills while seated - his bandaged leg stretched out, determination written all over his face.

That quiet scene spoke volumes. It was not just rehab. It was the start of a fightback.

Often seen as reserved and soft-spoken, Tze Yong showed us he is built of far sterner stuff.

Whether he makes it to the Olympic Games, he’s already proven one thing – he has the mental strength to weather the storm. Crucially, he is not alone in this journey.

Credit to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) for standing by their man and sending him to the renowned Aspetar Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha. That kind of investment is not cheap but it is a worthy one for a player of Tze Yong’s calibre.

Former great Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is backing him too, offering words of encouragement.

Former international Goh Liu Ying, who once endured solitary rehab in Germany for a shoulder injury, knows his pain and has shown her support.

National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has been a rock throughout. His calm faith in Tze Yong has made a world of difference.

“Fingers crossed. From what I understand, the rehab process is going well and he’s in good spirits,” said Jonassen.

“When you’re going through a long recovery, staying positive is key.”

Indeed, positivity and a positive environment are everything.

Tze Yong may be physically alone in Doha but he is surrounded by a powerful network of care, belief and resilience. Don’t be surprised when he walks back onto court stronger than ever.

And let’s not forget another player walking a rough road – our professional singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia.

Out for four months due to an ankle injury, Zii Jia’s recent cryptic and unsettling social media posts sparked concern about his mental wellbeing.

The pressure of being a top player, especially when injury disrupts momentum, can be overwhelming.

By posting disturbing images on social media, he gave an impression that he was suffering from mental health issues.

It could be hard for a player trying to meet high expectations, more so when injury is beyond his own control.

But there are encouraging signs. Zii Jia recently appeared in a meet-and-greet session with fans in China and has accepted an invite to compete at the World Championships in Paris next month.

With coach Yeoh Kay Bin by his side, there’s hope he’ll regain confidence and form.

One thing is clear - no athlete should fight their battles alone.

From the Sports Ministry and National Sports Council, and even BAM, the support is there if Zii Jia chooses to embrace it.

Tze Yong’s quiet fight from a chair in Doha is a testament to the power of inner strength - but also to the unmatched value of a strong support system.

As Zii Jia navigates his own battles, may he too find healing in that same circle of care.

Because sometimes, it’s not just about getting back on court but it’s about knowing someone’s got your back when you fall.

And in the end, that support can be the difference between breaking and coming back stronger.