'No expectations'! Lee Zii Jia reacts after shock first-round exit from World Championships; reveals future tournaments

Lee Zii Jia has only three events this season due to a recurring ankle injury.

Back in action after an injury-layoff of five months, Lee Zii Jia’s campaign at BWF World Championships 2025 was cut short in the opening round itself after a shocking straight games defeat to Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin on Monday.

The former World No. 2 went down in 41 minutes, losing 17-21, 11-21 at the Porte de la Chapelle in Paris. Lee Zii Jia showed fight in the first game, but lost 17‑21, it was followed by a more one-sided 11‑21 in the second game.

This marked Lee’s first competitive match in around five months, returning from a major ankle injury that sidelined him and limited him to just two tournaments this year—Orleans Masters and All England Open.

Given his comeback from injury, the result of the match was not as disappointing. What mattered more is that the Malaysian shuttler completed match.

“Although I didn’t play too well, I’m still satisfied that I could play until the end and the injured part has no problem anymore, which is very important to me,” Lee said after the match.

“Of course, I didn’t set any expectations for myself prior to this BWC because I know coming back itself is a challenge. I kept telling myself not to put any expectations,” he added.

The 2022 Asian Champion also thanked his supporters who despite the defeat cheered for him in Paris. “I’m thankful to them, but I also hope everyone can be more patient,” he said.

“Not just them, but also myself. I keep reminding myself that I need to be patient while undergoing this process after a huge injury,” he added during the post-match press conference.

What next? looking ahead the 27-year-old outlined his plans for upcoming tournaments and confirmed his participation at the Hong Kong Open and China Masters.

“The upcoming plan is Hong Kong Open and the China Masters as well. It’s back-to-back tournaments, and I definitely have to prepare more to be ready. I think the priority is to get back the tournament feeling and also the level that I used to be at,” he said.

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