KUALA LUMPUR — National men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong has been advised to undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, a highly placed source has confirmed, raising fresh doubts over the 25-year-old’s badminton future.
This development confirms Scoop’s earlier reports during the Malaysia Masters last week, that Tze Yong could be facing yet another lengthy spell on the sidelines — just four tournaments into his return from a year-long back injury layoff.
“Doctors have advised Tze Yong to undergo an ACL surgery. At this point, it’s hard to say anything, but yes, the fact remains the same as far as protected ranking is concerned. It’s the same for all players,” the source said.
ACL surgery is a serious procedure, especially for elite athletes. The typical recovery period ranges from a minimum of six months to over a year, depending on the severity of the tear, the rehabilitation process, and the athlete’s response to treatment.
For badminton players, where agility, speed and directional changes are crucial, the recovery can be even more complex and uncertain.
If Tze Yong does go under the knife, the timing could not be worse. Under Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules, he cannot apply for another protected ranking until 2027, as players are only eligible once every two years.
His current protected status — granted after more than a year out due to a lower back injury and subsequent surgeries — only allows him to use his pre-injury ranking until October this year.
This means he has a narrow six-month window, starting from his comeback at the Asian Championships in April, to perform well enough and climb the world rankings. That opportunity now appears to be slipping away.
Tze Yong had suffered first-round exits at the Chinese Taipei and Thailand Opens before collapsing on court with a right knee injury during his Malaysia Masters opener against Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long. He had to be helped off court and received immediate medical attention.
With surgery looming, he will almost certainly miss the rest of the 2025 season — and possibly more — leaving him without ranking points or access to top-tier tournaments once his protected period expires. This effectively pushes him back to square one or worse.
The setback is also a blow to the national men’s singles depth, which continues to struggle with consistency and the lack of a dependable world-class talent.
For now, fans and officials alike await official confirmation — but the grim reality is clear: if this prognosis holds true, Tze Yong’s career is once again hanging in the balance. — May 31, 2025