Goh Liu Ying Urges Lee Zii Jia to Seek Psychological Support if Needed

Former national mixed doubles star Goh Liu Ying has advised Lee Zii Jia to seek professional help, including seeing a sports psychologist, if he is struggling with the mental pressure of being a professional athlete.

Speaking at an event in UiTM Shah Alam, Liu Ying — the Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist — emphasised that pressure is a constant for athletes and must be managed to protect both performance and mental well-being. She noted that it’s not uncommon for athletes to seek psychological support and highlighted the importance of self-awareness and courage in taking that step.

Her comments came after Zii Jia posted a cryptic, caption-less series of black-and-white illustrations on Instagram, raising concerns among fans about his state of mind. Liu Ying interpreted it as his way of coping with stress, particularly in a social media-driven age.

She also acknowledged the added pressure faced by independent athletes like Zii Jia, especially during injury recovery, as they have to deal with both physical setbacks and expectations from sponsors. Zii Jia, currently ranked World No. 27, has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the All England tournament in March and has only appeared in one other event this year — the Orleans Masters.

He has since applied for a protected ranking from the BWF to maintain access to major tournaments during his recovery period.