Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s men’s singles player, Ng Tze Yong, is expected to make his return to competitive badminton before the end of April, following a carefully structured recovery plan by Malaysia’s national coaching team.
Speaking to Malaysian media, Malaysia’s head singles coach, Kenneth Jonassen, emphasized that their main priority is ensuring Ng Tze Yong is fully fit before stepping back onto the court. However, they must also consider the expiration of his protected ranking status, which ends in late April.
“Tze Yong’s protected ranking will expire at the end of April, so we are carefully planning his return. Our goal is to have him back in action before then, but only if he is truly ready,” Jonassen stated.
No Rush for a Comeback
Jonassen highlighted that the coaching team is not rushing Ng Tze Yong’s return unless he is fully prepared to compete at the highest level.
“We will only register him for tournaments when he feels ready to compete. However, we must also consider that his protected ranking status is set to expire soon,” he added.
While Jonassen did not confirm which tournament will mark Ng Tze Yong’s return after a year-long absence due to two back surgeries, his name is notably missing from the entry lists for three upcoming European events—the German Open (Feb 25 – Mar 2), Orleans Masters in France (Mar 4 – 9), and All England Open (Mar 11 – 16).
If he returns in March, the Swiss Open (Mar 18 – 23) is likely to be his first tournament back on the circuit.
Protected Ranking and Recovery Timeline
In May last year, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) applied for a protected ranking for Ng Tze Yong through the Badminton World Federation (BWF). His last official world ranking before the request was No. 18.
A protected ranking allows players who suffer from long-term injuries or illnesses (ranging from three to twelve months) to retain their original ranking, ensuring they can enter BWF World Tour tournaments upon their return.
Limited Action in 2024
Ng Tze Yong’s 2024 season was heavily impacted by injury, limiting him to just two tournaments—the Malaysia Open in January and the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in February.
His return is eagerly anticipated, and the Malaysian badminton community will be watching closely as he prepares to re-enter the international stage.
