Lee Zii Jia’s recent run of disappointing results has raised fresh concerns over the Malaysian shuttler’s form, with former national star Ong Ewe Hock believing the biggest battle may now be taking place away from the court.
The world No. 54 suffered another early exit at the Vietnam Open, losing 21-8, 13-21, 21-14 to Taiwan’s world No. 88 Wu Zhe Ying in the second round.
The defeat came just weeks after Zii Jia was knocked out in the opening round of the Korea Masters by fellow Malaysian Eogene Ewe, who is ranked No. 75 in the world.
For a player who once climbed as high as No. 5 in the world, the recent results have been difficult to overlook. Ewe Hock believes there could be deeper issues behind the former All England champion’s struggles.
Source: NST
The two-time Malaysia Open champion described Zii Jia as being like “a sailor drifting aimlessly in the sea aboard a captainless ship”, suggesting that the 28-year-old currently lacks a clear sense of direction.
“For his quality, it's a poor result as he simply cannot lose to an unknown player,” Ewe Hock said. “I think it's more mental now.”
While he acknowledged that physical condition and possible injury concerns could also affect Zii Jia’s performances, Ewe Hock believes confidence and mental strength have become the bigger issues.
His assessment comes after Zii Jia recently opened up about his own struggles on social media, admitting that he had been feeling “anxious, confused and honestly very lost” as he tried to regain control of his career.
Ewe Hock believes those off-court difficulties may be affecting Zii Jia’s performances when he steps onto the court. As an independent player, Zii Jia also faces a different set of challenges compared with those competing within the national setup.
Despite the concerns, Ewe Hock does not believe Zii Jia should be thinking about retirement. Instead, he remains convinced that the Malaysian still has “another two or three quality years left” in him.
The former All England champion urged Zii Jia to seek guidance from experienced players who understand the demands of professional badminton.
He suggested that the shuttler should “approach some former players and getting some advice which might help his cause”, while also stressing the importance of resolving his personal issues, returning to harder training and setting clear goals.
Ewe Hock pointed to 36-year-old Chou Tien Chen as an example of how an experienced player can maintain a high level through discipline and continued hard work.
For Zii Jia, the immediate challenge is not simply improving his results. He needs to rediscover the confidence and clarity that once helped him compete among the world's best.
His recent struggles have made the road back to the top more difficult, but with the right support and a renewed sense of purpose, Ewe Hock believes there is still time for Zii Jia to turn his career around.
