KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Nova Armada is not losing sleep over Goh Jin Wei's physical condition after the latter retired midway through her match for the second week running.
The 23-year-old Jin Wei failed to see out the battle with Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong during the Swiss Open's second round on yesterday, pulling out when she was trailing 13-4 in the first game.
The two-time world junior champion also called it quits in the first round of the All England last week against Yvonne Li of Germany due to stomach cramps when the latter was 13-12 ahead.
She won the first game comfortably 21-12 but lost the second 22-20.
Nova, when contacted from Basel yesterday, was quick to allay fears about Jin Wei having a fresh injury or health concern.
It was public knowledge that Jin Wei had a stomach ailment, which needed her to undergo colectomy surgery in 2019.
But she has been coping well with her health condition and climbed to No 32 in the world rankings from a lowly No 128 a year ago.
To Jin Wei's credit, she did score a laudable win over Line Kjaersfeldt, the world No 20 and Denmar''s No 1 in the first round in Basel.
"It is already her third week in Europe, so it wasn't a surprise that her body was getting uncomfortable," explained Nova.
"She tried her best to play on, but we decided it was best for her not to exert herself further and pull out to focus on the Asia Championships (in Dubai from April 25-30) instead."
Nova has no doubt that Jin Wei will eventually come good, but for now, she needs more time to adapt to the rigorous training and hectic tournament schedule.
"It is not easy to make a comeback from an illness. She is working really hard. Let's give her more time and take it one step at a time," pleaded Nova.
"She was already making tremendous progress. She was at one point outside the top 100, but now she is among the world's top 32, so kudos to her.
"Making the top 32 is a milestone because that will give her access to tournaments of all levels, especially the big ones like the Super 1000 and Super 750."
For the one-year Race to Paris qualification period, which kicks off in May, Jin Wei will have the luxury to pick her tournaments.
"For the next one year, Jin Wei will have more time to train. That is going to help her game improve as well as her stamina," said Nova.
"We will definitely see a stronger Jin Wei. Even at this point, she can take on any of the top 20 players, just she lacks the fitness to last the pace.
"We will probably enter between 12 and 15 tournaments over the 52-week qualifying period.
"The focus will be on Super 1000 and Super 750 events because they offer substantial points. Even reaching the quarter-finals will earn you decent points.
"With fewer tournaments, Jin Wei will be able to go all out in the ones she entered and try to excel.