Lee Zii Jia’s struggles continued at the Thailand Open, where the Malaysian shuttler suffered a disappointing first-round exit, raising fresh concerns over his form and fitness.
The former world No. 2, now ranked No. 67, was beaten by Israel’s Daniil Dubovenko after a tiring schedule that included two qualifying matches in quick succession. He appeared visibly drained, with fatigue playing a clear role in his performance during the main draw.
The result has prompted renewed discussion about his current direction on tour, with former national ace Rashid Sidek suggesting a more strategic approach to rebuilding his career.
Rashid believes Lee may benefit from competing in lower-tier tournaments such as Super 100 and Super 300 events. While this may appear to be a step down for a player of his stature, he argues it could help restore confidence through consistent match wins.
He also pointed out that repeated early exits at higher-level tournaments can damage both ranking momentum and self-belief. In contrast, smaller events offer more realistic opportunities to advance deep into draws and collect valuable ranking points.
Rashid highlighted that success at Super 300 and Super 100 levels can still provide meaningful ranking gains, while allowing players to rebuild rhythm with fewer physical and mental pressures compared to elite Super 500 and above competitions.
Drawing comparisons, he referenced Kento Momota’s career revival in 2017, when the Japanese star rebuilt form by competing in lower-tier events before returning to the top level of the sport. Rashid suggested that a similar structured approach could help Lee rediscover stability in his game.
While acknowledging the difference in circumstances, Rashid stressed that the core idea remains the same: rebuilding confidence through winning habits rather than persisting in high-pressure events without results.
For Lee Zii Jia, the decision now centers on whether to continue competing at the highest level or temporarily step back to regain momentum. According to Rashid, prioritizing long-term recovery and consistency could be key to reviving his career trajectory.
