KUALA LUMPUR: New men’s singles supremo Kenneth Jonassen is determined not to place the full burden of expectations solely on Leong Jun Hao in major tournaments.
Instead, the Danish coach aims to ensure equal attention is given to all four national men’s singles players under his charge, striving for consistent improvements across the board and bridging any performance gaps.
Apart from Jun Hao, the other men’s singles players still based at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) are Ng Tze Yong, Justin Hoh, and Eogene Ewe.
Tze Yong’s ranking has plummeted to world No. 202 following his injury setback while Justin is ranked 53rd and followed by Eogene at the 103rd spot.
This leaves Jun Hao as the sole national men’s singles shuttler eligible to compete in the prestigious Super 1000 tournaments.
However, his debut at the Malaysian Open fell short of expectations as he was defeated by China’s Lu Guangzu in the first round on Tuesday, with a scoreline of 17-21, 21-16, 13-21.
“I believe top players will always receive extra attention, but one of my key ideas is to focus on how to consistently perform at that level,” said Jonassen.
“This approach will be for everyone, as I believe it’s essential, even for younger players who aren’t competing here, to understand the pace of the game, the physical demands, and the importance of making the right decisions.
“As I begin to incorporate my ideas and vision, particularly for top men’s singles players, it will involve high intensity training, meeting the shuttle early, and other intricate details.
“These changes will take time, but with my experience and understanding from working closely with Malaysia’s top men’s singles players, I am confident it will come together gradually,” said Jonassen.
Apart from the national players at the ABM, Malaysia also has another men’s singles player, Lee Zii Jia, who is now a professional under the guidance of coach Yeoh Kay Bin.
