World number one Lee Chong Wei will not head to New Delhi to take part in the season's second Superseries event - Indian Open, starting 28 March - as national coach Tey Seu Bock believes the recently-concluded All England Championships has taken a toll on the 34-year-old shuttler.
Lee missed the early part of the 2017 season due to a knee injury he suffered while training in February but the Malaysian shuttler bounced back to form on his comeback at the All England. Battling against his troublesome knee and the best in the business, the top seed dropped only a game enroute to his fourth title in Birmingham.
After the recent issues with injury, Lee and coach Hendrawan are expected to meticulously plan the former's stops in the ongoing season. The in-form Malaysian legend is also eyeing his maiden title at the World Championships this year and has also expressed interest to defend his All England title in 2018, which will require extreme fitness levels from the shuttler, who is in the twilight of his career.
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The national coach is not willing to take any risk with their number one Men's singles player and he believes that Lee needs an extra week's training before the Malaysia Open, starting 4 April. Notably, the 11-time champion, who is in the same half with Chen Long and Shi Yuqi, will be geared up for a face-off against his arch-rival Lin Dan.
The Chinese shuttler has impressed quite a few with his title-winning Swiss Open campaign last week and Seu Bock believes the world number seven will be "more stronger" in Kuching.
"He [Lee] is not at his best right now. An extra week of training will give Chong Wei the time to be ready for the home tournament. We pulled him out of the Indian Open based on his form in training. The All-England victory took a toll on him," Seu Bock said, as quoted by The Star.
"The presence of Lin Dan and Chong Wei will make the men's singles competition more interesting in Kuching. Lin Dan is still hungry for titles. He'll be even stronger at the Malaysian Open."
In the absence of Lin, Zulfadli Zulkiffli will lead Malaysia's Men's singles campaign in India while world number two Men's doubles pairing of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong will be eyeing a strong performance after their All England disappointment.
