Kuala Lumpur: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will start playing in the Indian Open Wednesday in New Delhi and again, he is carrying the hopes of all Malaysian in the Superseries tournament.
Chong Wei will take on a qualifier in the first round. Then, he may plays three Indian players – Sourabh Varma (the Malaysia Open GP Gold runners-up), R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and P. Kashap.
This tournament also attracted other top shuttlers in the world such China's Chen Long, Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen, Japan’s Kenichi Tago, and Indonesa’s Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka.
Seeing how other countries such as China have a lot of youngsters who are getting better at the game, Chong Wei is urging his juniors to continue to train harder.
“We have to admit that some of our young players have not reach our expectation. I hope they will try to get better by training harder,” said Chong Wei.
“There is no shortcuts to the top! If they are willing to go the extra mile in training, I am sure it will translate to good results in the competition.”
Lee Chong Wei also hopes that Liew Daren and Chong Wei Feng can start producing results soon. Chong Wei Feng hurt his back last week during Malaysia Open GP Gold but will compete in the Indian Open, while Daren skipped the India Open due to a heel injury.
“I had injuries before and I can understand their predicament. I hope they can get healthy and play well in Thomas Cup Finals.”
Malaysia have been drawn in Group C with South Korea, India and Germany for the Thomas Cup Finals in New Delhi from May 18-25.
“We need to start focusing our strategies in Thomas Cup. South Korea will be our main opponent in the group,” he said.
Chong Wei was injured when playing Peter Gade from Denmark at the last Thomas Cup in Wuhan. “I will make sure I remain injury-free this time," said Chong Wei.
Chong Wei has won Indian Open twice – in 2011 and 2013, said: "I will not underestimate any of my opponents; I will do my best and enjoy myself on the court".
Chong Wei considers India Open as a good warm-up ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals
