Zii Jia Won't Defend Australian Open Crown

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia will not defend his Australian Open crown after pulling out from this year’s edition, scheduled in Sydney from Nov 18 to 23.

According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Zii Jia has been listed as ‘withdrawn’ alongside Paris 2024 Olympic Games gold medallist Viktor Axelsen, Thailand’s 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and two national professional players - Cheam June Wei and Jacky Kok Jing Hong.

Team LZJ has yet to reveal the reason behind Zii Jia’s withdrawal from the Super 500 tournament, to be held in Quaycentre, Olympic Boulevard.

The 27-year-old also skipped the Japan Masters 2025, which runs from today until Nov 16.

On Oct 1, Team LZJ posted on Instagram that the Paris 2024 bronze medallist had been advised by a medical expert to undergo an extended rehabilitation programme for persistent low back pain.

As such, the 2021 All England champion missed three European assignments recently - the Denmark Open, French Open and Hylo Open.

Zii Jia last played at the 2025 China Masters in September, where he was forced to retire in the third game of his opening-round match against Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi while trailing 6-14.

The Kedahan had earlier won the first game 21-17 before narrowly losing the second 21-23.

Last year, Zii Jia lifted his maiden Australian Open crown after downing Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-19, 11-21, 21-18 in the final.

Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge at the Australian Open 2025 will now rest on the shoulders of Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, while Eogene Ewe and Lim Ming Hong will start from the qualifying rounds.

-- BERNAMA