Leong Jun Hao will carry the baton at home for the men’s singles event in the absence of his superior-ranked compatriot Lee Zii Jia at the Malaysia Open 2025, starting from Tuesday.
Zii Jia will miss the BWF Super 1000 tournament as he is recovering from the right ankle ligament injury sustained at the BWF World Tour Finals, last month.
The World No. 29 is under pressure for his first-ever appearance at the home tournament.
“Pressure is there because I’m the only one. I will discuss with the coach how to reduce the pressure.
“I think pressure is everywhere, whether at home or abroad, but here it is higher and I hope to reduce it,“ he told reporters when met during the court testing session here, today.
Jun Hao, however, is confident of overcoming his first round opponent, World No. 16, Lu Guang Zu. The Chinese player is often regarded a tough nut to crack.
“Last year he beat Zii Jia (in the first round), so I will prepare the best to fight him.
“I think all Chinese players are not easy to play against because they are strong mentally and physically,” he said.
He is also optimistic of Kenneth Jonassen’s appointment as the new singles coach for the national team.