Court reunion on July 1
LEE Chong Wei will reunite with Misbun Sidek on July 1 in a final attempt at World Championships glory.
The World No 3 has withdrawn from the Australian Open, which starts today in Sydney, as he feels he needs to put more focus in training.
He has also decided not to compete in tournaments until the world meet in Glasgow on Aug 21-27.
Chong Wei made the decision following his unexpected second round 21-10, 21-18 defeat to India’s S. Prannoy at last week’s Indonesia Open.
Misbun, who helped Chong Wei reach his first Olympic final in 2008 (Beijing), quit the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in 2011 due to personal differences with the management.
However, the 57-year-old has rejoined BAM as the men’s singles head coach and will officially start work on July 1.
BAM technical director Morten Frost said Chong Wei feels he needs more time to prepare for the world meet.
“His goal is to be 100 per cent in all aspects for the challenge in Glasgow,” Frost told Astro Arena yesterday.
BAM believes Misbun will add a new dimension to Chong Wei’s game ahead of the World Championships.
Chong Wei is determined to win Malaysia’s first ever world title in badminton in Glasgow.
The Malaysian was not the only seeded player to exit early in the Indonesia Open.
Reigning world and Olympic champion Chen Long, along with Danes Viktor Axelsen and Jan O Jorgensen also lost in the early rounds as they had problems adapting to the Jakarta Convention Centre venue.
“The top players struggled with the draught in the venue.
“It is nothing to do about form… I believe these shuttlers will be among the favourites in the world meet,” said Frost.
Frost also wants Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong to make a statement in the Australian Open following a string of poor results.
The World No 4 men’s doubles had withdrawn from the Indonesia Open due to injuries.
“I expect a better performance from them in Sydney.
“A good result will provide them with the confidence for upcoming events.”