KUALA LUMPUR — Lee Zii Jia has withdrawn from the 2025 Japan Open, with no official explanation yet from his camp.
The 27-year-old’s name no longer appears in the tournament lineup, but in the withdrawn section, on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website, confirming his absence from the event scheduled in Tokyo from July 15 to 20. However, Team LZJ has yet to issue any statement regarding the decision.
The Japan Open is the penultimate event before the World Championships in Paris from August 25 to 31. The China Open, taking place from July 22 to 27, is the final tournament before the season’s biggest event.
Zii Jia’s world ranking has slipped to No. 27 following a string of tournament withdrawals and early exits, largely due to an ankle injury sustained during the World Tour Finals last December.
He made his return to competition in March at the Orleans Masters, where he lost to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen 21-23, 7-21 in the quarter-finals.
He then competed in the All England Championships in Birmingham from March 11 to 16, but was knocked out in the opening round by Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long, 21-19, 16-21, 12-21.
Zii Jia subsequently pulled out of the Swiss Open in Basel, held from March 18 to 23, due to the same injury.
Concerns about his condition resurfaced last week after Zii Jia posted a cryptic drawing on social media, fuelling speculation over his mental and physical health.
On Saturday, the National Sports Council (NSC) stepped in to address the growing anxiety, assuring fans that there was nothing to worry about.
NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the council and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh have been in touch with Team LZJ, and they received confirmation that he is in good condition. — July 7, 2025