PUTRAJAYA – Team LZJ coaching director Wong Tat Meng says Malaysia men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia needs to learn to handle pressure from all quarters.
Tat Meng was appointed as Zii Jia’s new coach in May after seven months without a trainer, following the latter’s release of Indonesian Indra Wijaya’s services in November.
Before taking up the role with Team LZJ, Tat Meng oversaw Hong Kong’s men’s singles.
Having started work with the former All England champion yesterday, Tat Meng said Zii Jia has the potential and talent to make it in badminton.
“Of course, everything comes in a package…his success has garnered him attention, and with that comes pressure and expectation.
“But he should learn to deal with pressure from outside; the fans and the media's high expectations.
“He should be confident with himself, because fans and the Malaysian public believe he can make it,” said the 56-year-old.
Outside of badminton skills, Tat Meng has spoken with Zii Jia about his mentality and psychology.
“He needs to handle tournament pressure and expectations.
“We need to work together, not only on the court, but off it as well.
“He made his name at an early age.
“At 20-22 years old, he won the All England…that is a massive competition to win at a young age. After that, he could not cope with the expectation.
“We know that ranking-wise, he should achieve certain results, but this is sports.
“His inconsistency is normal not only for Zii Jia, but for plenty of other athletes in the world who experience the same problem,” said Tat Meng.
Zii Jia’s next assignment is the Korea Open, which is a Super500 tournament.
He has been drawn to face Tat Meng’s former charge Hong Kong’s Angus Ng in the first round.
“We will treat Ka Long like any other opponent. Yes, he has beaten Zii Jia several times lately, but we are sure that all the opponents are challenging.
“I need to see for myself how Zii Jia plays in the Korea, Japan and Australian Open. Let me see how he performs before I can design a program for him,” said Tat Meng.
Based on the meeting record with Ka Long, Zii Jia lost three times and won only once in their first meeting at the 2019 German Open.
The national player lost three times at the New Zealand Open 2019, the Indonesia Masters 2023, and the Asian Badminton Championship in Dubai in April. – The Vibes, July 4, 2023
