WORLD No 1 Lee Chong Wei has opted out of the Denmark Open which begins in Odense on Tuesday, to focus on his preparation to defend his French Open title.

Chong Wei's decision was also due to the fact that national singles coach, Misbun Sidek has taken his wife Latifah, who is suffering from kidney failure, for treatment in China and is only expected to return this weekend.

The French Open will be held in Paris on Oct 28-Nov 2 and Chong Wei is the top seed in the Super Series event.

BA of Malaysia (BAM) general manager, Kenny Goh said Chong Wei had informed him of his decision to withdraw on Tuesday.

"Chong Wei withdrew from the Denmark Open in order to continue his preparations. His aim is to defend the French Open title," said Goh.
"His decision will not affect his world ranking but if he doesn't do well in France, his No 1 status could be under threat.

"The additional one week will give him sufficient time to prepare for the French Open where he has a better chance of winning."

Chong Wei competed in the Japan Open last month and Macau Open two weeks ago despite not being at his best physically and lost in the finals to Indonesians Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat respectively.

Initially, Chong Wei wanted to make the trip to Denmark but a change of heart gives him a better opportunity to clinch his first international title since becoming World No 1 in August.