KUALA LUMPUR – Four tournaments in January will determine how national men’s singles player Ng Tze Yong’s 2024 season shapes up.
Tze Yong’s last tournament this year was the Super 750 China Masters where he was dumped out in the first round by compatriot Lee Zii Jia.
But to get a head start for the 2024 season, the world number 15 took only three days off before getting back into training.
“Everyone knows Tze Yong lacks strength and fitness, and there is a five-week period before his next tournament,” said national men’s singles coach Hendrawan when met at Akademi Badminton Malaysia here today.
“So we decided to start his training for the 2024 season after a three-day break, which will continue until the Malaysia Open on January 9.
“He has shown good performances this year, getting to the semi-finals and finals of tournaments, the only thing missing is a World Tour title. If he can start winning tournaments his chances of getting to the Olympics will get better.
“For now, we will just enter his name in a few tournaments. If in the first four tournaments of the year he does well, maybe we can decrease the amount of tournaments he plays for the rest of the year.”
In January, Tze Yong is expected to play in the Malaysia and India Opens, and the Indonesia and Thailand Masters.
Meanwhile, Hendrawan said the French Open, All England and Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) will be Tze Yong’s last bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
“Tze Yong’s qualification for the Paris Olympics is not guaranteed yet. So in March, he will compete in three tournaments.
“They are important for his chances to qualify for Paris with his last chance being the BAC,” said Hendrawan. – December 5, 2023