Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong is still struggling with the emotional effects of two back injuries that have kept him sidelined for 11 months, according to national coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
Tze Yong, 24, first injured his back at the Malaysia Open last year, and the injury recurred at the Asian Team Championships in Shah Alam a month later. He underwent two back surgeries, and his world ranking has dropped from No. 16 to No. 202 during his extended absence from international tournaments.
Although recent medical tests show that Tze Yong has fully recovered physically, Rexy revealed that the player is still dealing with the fear of reinjury, which is hindering his return to competition.
“As of now, Tze Yong has recovered, but he is still mentally affected by his back injuries,” Rexy said. “The fear of hurting his back again is holding him back.”
As a precaution, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has decided to pull him from the upcoming Malaysia Open and the India Open scheduled for January 14-19.
“Tze Yong’s coach, K. Yogendran, reports that he is physically ready. However, he continues to complain of minor leg issues, fearing they could be linked to his back problems,” Rexy added.
Rexy emphasized that this mental barrier is common after such injuries and believes that returning to competition will help Tze Yong overcome his fear. “Competing in tournaments will help him regain confidence and move past this trauma,” he said.
In addition to physical recovery, Rexy believes psychological support could be vital for Tze Yong’s progress. He suggested that a sports psychologist might be key to helping the player fully recover. BAM previously worked with sports psychologist Fred Tan, who is a possible option for Tze Yong.
With a new national singles head coach, Kenneth Jonassen, set to begin his role tomorrow, Rexy is hopeful that Jonassen’s motivational skills will also play a crucial part in Tze Yong’s recovery and return to form.
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