KUALA LUMPUR – Despite another crushing setback, national shuttler Ng Tze Yong is keeping his spirits up as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed he will undergo surgery on his injured right knee.
This confirms Scoop’s earlier report that the 25-year-old has been advised to go under the knife following a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during the Malaysia Masters two weeks ago.
“It’s tough to accept, especially after all the hard work leading up to this point, but I know this is just another challenge to overcome. I’m staying positive, following the prehab plan, and I’m fully focused on coming back stronger,” said Tze Yong in a statement issued by BAM today.
“I want to thank BAM, the National Sports Institute (ISN) and everyone on the medical and coaching teams for their constant support and care. Thank you also to all the fans for your kind messages – it really means a lot to me.
“I will do my best to recover and come back stronger.”
Tze Yong, who had only returned to action in April after more than a year out due to two back surgeries, collapsed in pain during his opening round match at the Malaysia Masters against Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long and had to be helped off court.
He was subsequently withdrawn from the Singapore and Indonesia Opens.
Following weeks of speculation, BAM finally clarified that Tze Yong would undergo surgery, though it did not specify the timeline for his return.
Depending on the severity, ACL surgeries typically takes about nine to 12 months to recover, though this is not cast in stone.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, who had previously declined to comment on the injury pending confirmation, acknowledged the severity of the situation while expressing confidence in Tze Yong’s character.
“This is a difficult moment for Tze Yong, but he is mentally strong and focused on the recovery process.
“Our medical and coaching teams are working closely to ensure he gets the best care possible. We will support him every step of the way, both on and off court,” said Jonassen.
The announcement marks another cruel twist in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Tze Yong, the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medallist. His latest injury came just four tournaments into his comeback, reigniting fears over his long-term future in the sport.
Under the Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s rules, Tze Yong was last competing under a protected ranking — granted after his prolonged back injury — which allows him to enter tournaments using his pre-injury ranking until October 2025.
However, players are only allowed to apply for protected ranking status once every two years, meaning Tze Yong will not be eligible for another exemption until 2027.
With another long layoff now looming, he may find himself struggling to regain entry into top-tier events once that status expires.
In recent days, former national head coach Rashid Sidek and other observers have voiced concern over the long-term impact of ACL injuries, especially for a men’s singles player whose game relies heavily on wider court coverage and physical explosiveness.
For now, however, the focus is on ensuring Tze Yong receives the best treatment and rehabilitation plan possible — and on giving him the time and support he needs to chart a realistic path back to competition. — June 6, 2025