Malaysian shuttler Lee Zii Jia withdraws from Australian Open 2025, joining other top players in skipping the Sydney Super 500 tournament
KUALA LUMPUR: Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia will not defend his Australian Open crown after withdrawing from this year’s edition.
The Badminton World Federation listed Zii Jia as ‘withdrawn’ from the Super 500 tournament scheduled in Sydney from November 18-23.
He joins Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Viktor Axelsen and Thailand’s 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in skipping the event.
National professional players Cheam June Wei and Jacky Kok Jing Hong have also withdrawn from the tournament.
Team LZJ has not revealed the reason behind Zii Jia’s withdrawal from the Quaycentre competition.
The 27-year-old also skipped the Japan Masters 2025 running from today until November 16.
On October 1, Team LZJ posted that the Paris 2024 bronze medallist needed extended rehabilitation for persistent low back pain.
Medical experts advised the extended programme to address his ongoing back issues.
The 2021 All England champion consequently missed three recent European tournaments.
He withdrew from the Denmark Open, French Open and Hylo Open during the European swing.
Zii Jia last competed at the 2025 China Masters in September.
He retired during the third game of his opening-round match against Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi.
The Malaysian had won the first game 21-17 before narrowly losing the second 21-23.
He was trailing 6-14 in the deciding game when forced to retire.
Last year, Zii Jia captured his maiden Australian Open title in Sydney.
He defeated Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-19, 11-21, 21-18 in a thrilling final.
Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge now rests on Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin.
Eogene Ewe and Lim Ming Hong will begin their campaigns in the qualifying rounds. – Bernama
