Previously, Malaysian men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia suffered an ankle injury at the World Tour Finals, forcing him to withdraw from several matches.
After being sidelined for most of last year, the 27-year-old athlete is finally making a comeback. In light of this latest development, badminton commentator Gillian Clark took to social media to share some kind words for Zii Jia.
Lee Zii Jia
English badminton commentator voices support for Lee Zii Jia’s comeback
Clark shared words of encouragement for Zii Jia on Instagram, pointing out how injuries test an athlete’s physical limits and can be mentally challenging, especially since their identity and purpose are so closely tied to their performance.
“We often put athletes on a pedestal because of the mental strength and skill they show in competition, assuming they’re somehow stronger than the rest of us,” she wrote.
Clark added, “But that image, while helping build their star status, can also blur reality. Every athlete is human, with the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities as anyone else.”
Gillian Clark
Drawing from her own experience of having surgeries on both knees for ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs), Gillian said the expectations to perform at pre-injury levels can be a “heavy burden and unrealistic.”
“A little over a year ago at the World Tour Finals, while Lee Zii Jia was playing some of his best badminton, he suffered a serious ankle injury. Since then, he’s made two aborted attempts to return to competition, playing just seven matches throughout 2025.
“This week, the Olympic bronze medallist returns to action at the Malaysia Open 2026. After such a long time out, the comeback won’t be easy, especially given the mental strain athletes face when they can’t compete,” Clark stated.
“Recovering from injury can be mentally harder than it is physically”
Clark spoke out as fans eagerly await Zii Jia’s return to the court, stressing that athletes recovering from injury need encouragement and support, rather than criticism.
“We should focus on helping and encouraging athletes during their brave journey back from injury, rather than judging them. Overcoming adversity is a universal struggle, and those returning to play deserve both compassion and admiration for their courage and perseverance along what is often a relentless road to recovery.
“Above all, we must remember that the mental challenges of rehabilitation can be even tougher than the physical pain of the injury itself,” she said.
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Also read: Lee Zii Jia Withdraws From Next Week’s Japan Open After Pulling Out of US Open Last Month
