Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in action against China player Lu Guang Zu during the second round of Malaysian open badminon at Arena Axiata in Bukit Jalil yesterday.Tze Yong lost 16-21,23-21,18-21. (29/6/22/ S.S.Kanesan/The Star) (file pix)
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong has set his sights on breaking into the world’s top 10 this year.
Tze Yong is not too far away from his goal as he is currently ranked No. 15 in the world.
If he manages to achieve his target, the 23-year-old will become only the third Malaysian player after former great Datuk Lee Chong Wei and current independent player Lee Zii Jia to move into the top 10 in the past 10 years.
Zii Jia’s highest ranking was No. 2 in 2022 before the latter dropped to his current ranking of No. 11.
Tze Yong also has another important mission this year - to make the cut for the Paris Olympics.
“One of my goals this year is to break into the top 10,” said Tze Yong when met after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“I also hope to make it to the Olympics. It’s important for me to stay injury free as well this year.”
Tze Yong needs to maintain his ranking in the top 16 along with Zii Jia until the Olympic qualifying period ends in April to be assured of a spot.
Both Tze Yong and Zii Jia’s first tournament of the year will be the Malaysian Open from Jan 9-14 in Bukit Jalil.
The former will play Japan’s world No. 23 Koki Watanabe in the first round while the latter will take on China’s world No. 19 Lu Guangzu.
Tze Yong is out to produce a better showing at home after going down fighting in three games to another Japanese player, world No. 2 Kodai Naraoka, in the second round last year.
“I have been training for a month now and I hope to do better this time,” said Tze Yong.
“But the first round match won’t be easy for me as I lost to Watanabe in the Japan Open last year.
“I need to be well prepared and focus on every single point during the match.”
