KUALA LUMPUR — For a time, Ng Tze Yong didn’t know if he would ever return to competitive badminton.
After sustaining a serious lower back injury at the Malaysia Open in January 2024, the 25-year-old underwent two surgeries and faced a long, frustrating period of rehabilitation that stretched over a year.
He made his competitive comeback last month at the Badminton Asia Championships but admits the road back has been anything but straightforward.
“Last year was a very difficult year for me. I didn’t know when I could come back,” he said at the Axiata Arena today, where he was testing the courts ahead of his Malaysia Masters first-round match against Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long on Wednesday.
“Even after two surgeries, I wasn’t healed. I did rehab, but I still felt pain — and that left me very confused.”
What carried him through, he said, was his deep love for the sport and the unwavering support of his family.
“My motivation is that I really love to play badminton. When I felt like giving up, I didn’t know what else to do, because all I wanted was to play. Thankfully, my family supported me and didn’t pressure me.”
Tze Yong, who won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, is now competing in only his third tournament since returning.
While his results — first-round exits at the Badminton Asia Championships and the Thailand Open — show he is still some way off peak form, he remains upbeat.
“I’m improving with every match. I can see more clearly now what needs to be worked on. I’ve resumed full on-court training, but it’s still not enough. That’s why I’m taking it step by step.”
His one-year protected BWF ranking has helped him re-enter major events quickly, but he admits it’s a double-edged sword.
“Because of the protected ranking, everything has felt very fast — just a few months of training, then straight into tournaments. It’s been a big challenge.”
More encouragingly, he confirmed he is no longer in pain — a major breakthrough in his recovery.
“Now, I don’t feel anything — no trauma, no pain. That’s the most important thing. I can move freely (dive for shots, go for smashes). I hope I can continue like this.”
Tze Yong also credited new national singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen for helping him navigate the comeback with patience and confidence.
“Coach Kenneth has trusted me a lot. I’ve been very honest with him, and he’s been a great support — no pressure, just proper rehab and progress. That really helped.”
Looking ahead, Tze Yong is not placing undue pressure on himself. While every athlete wants to win, he says the goal for now is to get that first victory and rebuild from there.
“Of course, I want to win every match and tournament, but right now my target is just to get that first win. If I can get that, maybe my comeback will happen faster.”
Importantly, the injury has changed his mindset. He now sees each match as part of a larger journey, not just a must-win scenario.
“Before this, every match was just about winning. But I’ve matured. I’ve learnt that you can’t rush — you need to take it step by step.”
With that clarity and a healthy body, Tze Yong is determined to write the next chapter of his career on his own terms — starting at home, in front of Malaysian fans. — May 19, 2025