PETALING JAYA: Continue to be less uptight and have fun.
Men’s singles coach K. Yogendran wants shuttler Leong Jun Hao to keep enjoying his game starting with the Malaysian Open from Jan 7-12 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Jun Hao, who did well to finish runner-up in the Japan Masters in Kumamoto last month, is set to make his debut in the prestigious World Tour Super 1000 tourney.
Yogendran believes that the 25-year-old has rediscovered his joy of playing badminton and wants his charge to build on his good showing in Japan.
World No. 29 Jun Hao upstaged India’s world No. 12 Lakshya Sen, homesters Kodai Naraoka (No. 8), Koki Watanabe (No. 11) and Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie (No. 3) en route to finishing second to Li Shifeng of China.
It was a great turnaround from him after he suffered six early round exits including in the Denmark and Arctic Opens.
“Jun Hao was enjoying his game again in Japan – that was the key,” said Yogendran after overseeing a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“Before that, when I started coaching him in the Denmark and Arctic Opens, his performances were below par. He was upset and so was I.
“We came back and focused on a few things which he needed to improve. Something clicked after that and he regained his fire and wanted to prove that he was still one of the best.
“This is what helped him. He understands how to enjoy his game after this.”
Jun Hao is now working hard to prepare for the home Open where he is likely to be the only men’s singles representative from Malaysia.
National No. 1 and world No. 6 Lee Zii Jia sustained a right ankle ligament injury in the World Tour Finals recently and is a major doubt for the tournament.
“We have 20 days to go for the Malaysian Open and Jun Hao is pushing as hard as he can in training,” said Yogendran.
“As coaches, our job is to make sure he is in his best condition. We want to keep him away from injuries because it’s going to be a tough year ahead with a lot of tournaments.
“Playing at home always brings pressure not just for the players but the coaches too. Most importantly, I want him to bring out his own game and not to worry too much about the result. Just give his best, entertain the fans and enjoy his game.”
Meanwhile, Yogendran shared that he and fellow men’s singles coach Alvin Chew have been keeping singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen updated on the training programme.
Jonassen will officially start work on Jan 4.
“We have been keeping coach Kenneth updated on what we are doing in training, so that he will have a clearer picture once he joins and we can move forward faster,” said Yogendran.
Besides the annual World Tour events and Asian Championships, the Asia Mixed Team Championships (Feb 11-16), Sudirman Cup (April 27-May 4) and SEA Games (Dec 7-19) will also be held next year.
