An ACL injury can keep a badminton player away from competition for up to a year, but Toh Ee Wei is already showing signs that her comeback could come much sooner.
The Malaysian mixed doubles world champion underwent surgery on her left knee on June 30 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. While a lengthy rehabilitation was expected, Ee Wei has been making encouraging progress in Melbourne under the guidance of physiotherapist Andrew Casserly at the Centaur Institute.
Recent videos shared on social media showed the 25-year-old performing leg press and leg extension exercises with her operated leg. Her ability to carry out the exercises only weeks after surgery has offered an encouraging glimpse into her recovery.
However, Ee Wei still has a long road ahead before she can return to competitive badminton. ACL rehabilitation requires careful progression, and her early strength gains do not necessarily mean she will be ready to compete immediately.
Source: Berita Harian
Still, the Malacca-born shuttler remains determined to make the most of her recovery.
"A lot of things have happened, I only see my goals. Fight for it, keep pushing every day," she wrote on social media.
Her progress has also raised hopes that she could be back on court in time for the expected introduction of the new 15-point scoring system on the World Tour in January 2027.
That would give Ee Wei a fresh target to work towards as she attempts to regain her fitness and competitive rhythm.
While Ee Wei focuses on her rehabilitation, her regular partner Chen Tang Jie has continued competing on the World Tour alongside Clarissa San.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei made history last year by becoming Malaysia's first mixed doubles world champions in Paris. Their partnership has since become one of the country's biggest hopes in the event.
For now, Ee Wei's priority is recovery rather than setting a firm comeback date. But her early progress has given Malaysian badminton fans plenty of reason to be optimistic.
If she can continue progressing at the current pace, the wait to see the world champions reunited on court may not be as long as initially feared.
