Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei’s “comeback journey” may be prolonged a bit longer and his hopes of making a return to competitive badminton at next month’s Malaysia Open may not take place.
 
The 36-year-old former world No 1 will fly to Taipei this Sunday for his medical review for his nose cancer and has not played competitive badminton since the Indonesia Open in Jakarta in July last year where he reached the semi-finals but lost to Japan’s Kento Momota.
 
A week earlier Chong Wei, who is also the 100PLUS Ambassador, had beaten the Japanese ace in the final for his 12th Malaysia Open title.
 
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria revealed that based on his recent conversation with Chong Wei it is highly unlikely the defending champion will compete in the Malaysia Open.
 
“He (Chong Wei) should be ready for the Sudirman Cup in Nanjing. We should allow him to recover fully as our target is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
 
The Sudirman Cup will be held in Nanjing, China from May 19-26.
 
In the Malaysia Open from April 2-7, Chong Wei is drawn to meet Indian ace K. Srikanth in the first round.
- Advertisement -