Seu Bock: ‘One-of-a-kind’ shuttler never takes the game lightly

Countless hours of work: Datuk Tey Seu Bock keeping an eye on Lee Chong Wei during a training session in 2012.

PUTRAJAYA: National women’s singles head coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock is glad that it’s all over now for Lee Chong Wei.

Seu Bock, who forged a close relationship with Chong Wei having coached him from 2010 to 2016, said the latter can now finally put the burden and pressure behind him.

“While everyone feels sad that he has retired, I thought otherwise. I’m happy for him instead,” said Seu Bock, who guided Chong Wei to the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics.

“He has been carrying too much of a burden and given so much for the nation.

“He’s the kind of player who won’t take badminton lightly. If he competes, he will always go for a win, nothing less.

“From the start, I was against him continuing his career. Health should always be the priority.”

When asked which are the best moments he shared with Chong Wei, Seu Bock said: “Everytime he won a title.

“That’s because whenever he lost in the final, he would still get criticised. So each tournament he captured was always extra sweet for me.”

Seu Bock also hailed Chong Wei as ‘one of a kind’.

“As a national coach, I can’t see anyone in the current squad as complete as him.

“I’m not even sure if we would have any player like him emerging anytime soon.

“That’s why I always told the younger players that they don’t need to look to players from other countries for inspiration. Just try to emulate Chong Wei.”