In need of a lift: Lee Zii Jia in action against India’s Ayush Shetty in the first round of the Malaysian Open on Jan 6.
PETALING JAYA: When a player’s career is at its lowest ebb, finding a coach willing to step in is never easy.
That is why professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia is appreciative of Liew Daren’s return to the coaching role as he looks to revive his flagging career.
Daren has officially taken over from Yeoh Kay Bin and the Indian Open starting today at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi will be his first with Zii Jia.
Zii Jia faces an immediate challenge in the first round against Denmark’s world No. 27 Rasmus Gemke - a player he has yet to beat in four meetings since they first crossed paths at the junior level in 2016.
“It was not easy for Daren to accept this role, so I am grateful that he agreed to take it on and that we can move forward together,” said Zii Jia.
During Daren’s previous stint as his coach and before the arrival of Wong Tat Meng and Kay Bin, Zii Jia was riding high, having already won the All-England title and broken into the world’s top 10.
Liew Daren.
Now ranked 144 in the world, Zii Jia is banking on Daren to guide him back to the top.
“I have confidence in him, and he was willing to take on this challenge,” Zii Jia had stated.
“As you know, my current situation can be described as a disaster, with my ranking having dropped badly.”
There were, however, positive signs during last week’s Malaysian Open.
Having recovered from a leg injury, Zii Jia returned to competitive action and, despite losing 12-21, 17-21 to India’s Ayush Shetty in the opening round, felt encouraged by his performance.
After the defeat, Zii Jia said he has set his sights on returning to the world’s top 20 by the end of the year.
With his confidence renewed and Daren back by his side, the former national No. 1 will also continue pursuing his long-term goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games for a third time at Los Angeles 2028.
