PETALING JAYA: Datuk Razif Sidek has advised national men’s doubles shuttler Tee Kai Wun to avoid taking unnecessary risks with his injury.
Kai Wun and partner Man Wei Chong are on course to qualify for the World Tour Finals from Dec 17-21 in Hangzhou, China, but Razif cautioned that the former must not aggravate his calf injury.
The world No. 5 pair currently sit third in the Road to Hangzhou standings with 84,350 points and will join Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik for the Finals.
Kai Wun has yet to return to full fitness since sustaining the injury during training last month, which forced his withdrawal from both the Arctic and Denmark Opens with Wei Chong.
Despite the setback, Wei Chong-Kai Wun displayed encouraging form by reaching the quarter-finals of the French Open and the semi-finals of the Hylo Open last month.
“Kai Wun has to be careful when he competes in the Finals as he can aggravate his injury,” said Razif.
“We don’t want a situation where they get there and he can’t play.”
“Sometimes, it feels unfair, but the competition is tougher and the prize money is higher, so it really depends on the players.
“This is a golden opportunity for them to earn money.”
Wei Chong-Kai Wun went down 19-21, 18-21 to Japan’s world No. 29 Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita in the first round of the Japan Masters.
“It is not my place to ask them to continue or give up their fight,” said Razif.
“It depends on them. They have to ask themselves how far they can go.”
Razif however, praised the pair’s determination.
“It is a good fighting spirit. I can see that they really want to qualify,” said Razif.
“We hope they won’t have to withdraw and can give their best on the court.”
