KUALA LUMPUR — Ng Tze Yong could be sidelined for up to a year after scans confirmed he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the recent Malaysia Masters.
The national men’s singles shuttler is scheduled to undergo surgery, though no date has been set, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said today.
BAM singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said the focus now is on preparing Tze Yong physically to ensure the best possible recovery outcome.
“The operation date has not been confirmed. It’s quite a technical process, but the stronger you are going into surgery, the better your chances of recovery,” he told reporters at Akademi Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Bernama reported.
“There’s still some bruising and swelling that need to subside. Everything we’re doing now is aimed at giving him the best chance of success.”
Jonassen acknowledged that an ACL injury is one of the most difficult setbacks for any athlete. But he cited the example of Spain’s Olympic champion Carolina Marin, who made a successful comeback after similar injuries, as a source of inspiration.
“I believe Tze Yong can find motivation from her journey. I can’t speak for him on retirement, but from what I see, he’s determined to return,” Jonassen said.
“As long as that motivation is there, we’ll support him fully. Other top athletes have come back, and I believe in Tze Yong’s ability and resilience.”
He also clarified that Tze Yong will not qualify for a second protected ranking, as such exemptions are only allowed once within a defined period.
“My main concern right now isn’t his ranking. It’s about completing the surgery, going through rehab, and keeping him motivated,” he added.
With Tze Yong facing a lengthy recovery, Jonassen revealed plans to develop younger players to fill the gap in the senior men’s singles squad.
“It’s always tough to lose one of your top players to injury,” said Jonassen. “But we’ll keep working to prepare the next generation.”
In a message to fans, Tze Yong admitted the news was difficult to accept but said he remained focused on recovery.
“It’s tough, especially after all the work I’ve put in to get back to this point,” he said.
“But this is just another challenge. I’m staying positive, following my prehab plan, and I’m focused on coming back stronger. I really appreciate all the support and kind messages.”
The 25-year-old had only recently returned to competitive action in April at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after a lengthy layoff due to a muscle tear and spinal injury sustained last year. — June 6, 2025