WITH so many uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, national men’s singles Lee Zii Jia, is feeling anxious ahead of his All England debut next week.
It also does not help that the 22-year-old will open his campaign against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, a player Zii Jia has not beaten in all four previous meetings.
When met at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, the Malaysian World No 15 said: “The Covid-19 outbreak has really affected my preparation as well as my momentum.
“One minute you’re ready to play in a tournament and the next you find out the tournament is postponed because of Covid-19.
“In fact, I don’t know what to expect from the All England.”
Zii Jia, who last played in the Asia Team Championships in Manila last month, was supposed to compete in the German Open, which was scheduled to be held this week.
However, after being advised by the city of Mülheim an der Ruhr, the German BA decided to put the tournament on hold at the eleventh hour.
“I have been in touch with several foreign players like Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, and just like us, they are also left in limbo.
“But I don’t want to use this as an excuse. I have been training hard and I promise to give my all at the All England.
“It will be my debut and I want to do my best,” he added.
Since the coronavirus was first detected in December, the Badminton World Federation have postponed five tournaments — Lingshui China Masters, Vietnam International Challenge, German and Polish Opens, as well as the Portuguese International Championships.
Despite declaring the Covid-19 a level four incident — the highest level of emergency preparedness planning — Badminton England confirmed on Wednesday that the first World Tour Super 1000 event this season will go on as planned.
The Malaysian players will leave for Birmingham tomorrow while the tournament proper will kick off on Wednesday.