KUALA LUMPUR – Lee Zii Jia’s struggles in 2025 have taken another turn, with Team LZJ confirming the shuttler will miss the Denmark Open, French Open and HYLO Open this month as he undergoes an extended rehabilitation programme for persistent lower back pain.
The announcement comes after the 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medallist suffered three straight first-round exits since returning from a lengthy layoff, culminating in his retirement at the China Masters in Shenzhen earlier this month.
The 27-year-old came close to ending his barren run in Shenzhen, even holding a match point against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi, before being forced to retire in the decider at 17-21, 22-20, 14-6. It was his third consecutive opening-round defeat following early exits at the World Championships in Paris and the Hong Kong Open.
Zii Jia had earlier missed five months of competition this year due to an ankle injury sustained at the World Tour Finals last December.
His comeback at the World Championships ended prematurely against South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin, and he has since admitted to struggling to regain his rhythm on tour.
In their latest statement, Team LZJ said medical experts have advised Zii Jia to extend his rehabilitation to fully address his recurring back issues.
“2025 has indeed been a challenging season for Zii Jia, but his determination to overcome the challenges, along with the support from fans and sponsors, has been a huge motivational strength,” the statement read.
The team added that updates on his recovery will be shared in due course, while thanking supporters for their “unconditional support.”
The independent shuttler’s last deep run on the World Tour came at the Orleans Masters in early March, where he reached the quarter-finals. Since then, he has endured a series of setbacks that have stalled his progress after a strong 2024 highlighted by his Olympic bronze in Paris.
For now, Zii Jia faces another spell on the sidelines, with his immediate priority being recovery rather than results. – October 2, 2025
Zii Jia withdraws from October tournaments as back injury persists
Malaysia’s Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia has pulled out of the Denmark, French and HYLO Opens, with his team confirming he will undergo extended rehabilitation to recover from recurring lower back pain
9:17 AM MYT
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