Lee Zii Jia’s withdrawal from the German Open has cast a shadow over his potential participation in the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark in April. The 2024 Olympic bronze medalist has been battling recurring ankle and back injuries, forcing him to reconsider his fitness ahead of the prestigious team event.
Zii Jia struggled with injuries throughout 2025. His recent performances have raised further questions about his ability to return to top form. After his return to competitive action in January, the 27-year-old has faced an uphill battle. He suffered early exits at the Malaysia Open and the India Open, while a mid-match retirement at the Thailand Masters added to concerns about his physical condition.
Despite these setbacks, Zii Jia has seen a slight improvement in his ranking, moving from No. 144 to No. 64. He currently sits as Malaysia’s third-ranked singles player, behind Leong Jun Hao (No. 27) and Justin Hoh (No. 39), but the uncertainty surrounding his fitness leaves Malaysia’s Thomas Cup lineup in flux.
Lee Zii Jia, along with coach Liew Daren and women’s singles star Goh Jin Wei, met with Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Performance Committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei last Friday.
“They will give us their feedback, maybe within a week. It was a good discussion for Zii Jia. At least we now know his condition,” said Chong Wei.
Chong Wei stated that Zii Jia’s participation would greatly benefit Malaysia’s chances in the Thomas Cup, alongside the involvement of Jin Wei in the Uber Cup team. His decision is expected within a week, as BAM finalizes the team lineup. Malaysia is expected to name four singles players and three doubles pairs for both tournaments, with final selections to be made after the Badminton Asia Championships (April 7-12).
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While Zii Jia’s future remains uncertain, BAM is actively strengthening the team with experienced players. Former world No. 1 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have confirmed their availability for the Thomas Cup campaign. This decision is seen as a significant boost for Malaysia’s men’s doubles, with Rexy Mainaky, the national doubles coaching director, affirming that the pair will be with the squad until the Asian Games in September.
