Wong Tat Meng has stepped down as Lee Zii Jia’s coach after an impactful 18-month partnership that led to significant success. When Tat Meng arrived in mid-2023, Zii Jia was struggling with poor form and considering retirement. However, under Tat Meng’s mentorship, Zii Jia regained his confidence and went on to win an Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Games. He also re-entered the top 10 of the world rankings and clinched three World Tour Super 500 titles at the Arctic, Thailand, and Australia Opens, marking a remarkable revival in his career.
Reflecting on their journey together, Tat Meng expressed pride in Zii Jia’s achievements, especially his podium finish at the Paris Olympics. He emphasized that their partnership was focused on rebuilding Zii Jia’s form and confidence, with hard work and persistence driving them to meaningful milestones. While Tat Meng has not disclosed his next career move, he is rumored to be joining the Roketto Club in Sydney, where he could continue contributing to badminton without the demands of the World Tour.
Lee Zii Jia Gears Up for Final World Tour Finals with Coach Wong Tat Meng
Lee Zii Jia, Malaysia’s world No. 8 men’s singles shuttler, is gearing up for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China. In Group A, he will face tough opponents: Anders Antonsen (Denmark), Chou Tien-chen (Taiwan), and Li Shifeng (China). Zii Jia has a mixed record against these rivals, with Antonsen holding a 5-4 advantage, Tien-chen tied 5-5, and Shifeng leading 3-2. Shifeng, who replaces the injured Viktor Axelsen, is expected to be Zii Jia’s toughest challenge.
This tournament marks the final one for Zii Jia with his coach, Wong Tat Meng, before they part ways. Coach Wong urges Zii Jia to treat every match as a final and stresses the importance of mental and physical resilience. He highlights that Zii Jia needs to stay mentally strong, seeing each match as a fresh challenge and not letting past victories or defeats cloud his performance. Only the top two players from the group will advance to the semi-finals, making each match crucial for Zii Jia’s progression.
Coach Wong Tat Meng's Key Advice to Lee Zii Jia
Coach Wong Tat Meng has advised Lee Zii Jia to maintain a steady mindset as he strives to become the best in the world. He emphasized that Zii Jia should not be weighed down by past victories or defeats. Instead, every win should be seen as an experience, and every loss as a lesson. Furthermore, Tat Meng urged Zii Jia to stay calm, focused, and fully present in each match, without fixating on the expectation to win. While outcomes are important, Tat Meng believes that enjoying the process and unleashing his true potential is what truly matters. Ultimately, he wants Zii Jia to trust himself, as a steady mindset is crucial for delivering his best performance.
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