National singles coach Kenneth Jonassen has welcomed Lee Zii Jia’s return to competitive badminton, describing it as a positive boost for Malaysian badminton.
Jonassen, choosing not to critique Zii Jia’s recent results, called him a “star” who adds a special spark to the sport. “It’s not my job to comment on his performances. As a fan, it’s just great to see him back. He brings something extra to the game,” Jonassen said after a training session.
He recalled the electric atmosphere during Zii Jia’s Malaysia Open return earlier this month. The former All England champion recently ended a 10-month winless streak by reaching the second round of the Indonesia Masters, where he lost to Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul at Jakarta’s Istora Senayan.
Zii Jia, 27, had returned on January 6 following a 111-day break, having struggled with ankle injuries sustained at the World Tour Finals in December 2024. He took time off after the China Masters last September to fully recover.
Looking ahead, Jonassen said Zii Jia’s comeback broadens Malaysia’s options for the Thomas Cup 2026 in Denmark, while stressing that team success depends on more than one player’s star power.
