KUALA LUMPUR: Former world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei has singled out men's pair, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, and independent shuttler, Lee Zii Jia, as the country's best bet to win the Malaysia Open title this week.
Speaking at the Yonex Legends' Vision event here today, Chong Wei, a 12-time winner, said the Malaysia Open holds a very special place in his heart.
For the record, Chong Wei was also the last local shuttler to be crowned Malaysia Open champion, back in 2018, just one year before announcing his retirement.
"Looking at their conditions, as well as their recent performances, I believe Aaron-Wooi Yik and Zii Jia are the country's best prospects to win the Malaysia Open this year.
"I'm not saying that the other Malaysian players don't stand a chance, just that Aaron-Wooi Yik and Zii Jia, in my opinion, have a slight edge.
"I've always said this, the Malaysia Open means a lot to me.
"Why? Because we're playing at home, and the expectations are high.
"There must be a sense of responsibility, for the fans who come to support you, for your career and country," said Chong Wei.
Reminiscing a touching moment in one of his previous outings at the Malaysia Open, Chong Wei said: "This one time, a fan took a picture with me, and he shared how he came all the way from Kuantan by public transport just to catch the Malaysia Open.
"This touched me because we are fighting for the fans.
"It is not over until the umpire says 'game'; never give up.
"I still remember the Malaysia Open in Kuching (2006), when Lin Dan led 20-13. How did I pull level, and eventually won 23-21?
"Never give up, even if the results are not going your way, prove to the fans that you have given your all."
Meanwhile, Chong Wei and five-time world champion Lin Dan of China welcomed two new faces - Spain's Carolina Marin and India's first Saina Nehwal - into the Yonex Legends' Vision family.
According to Chong Wei, the move by Yonex Legends' Vision to include Marin, a three-time world champion, and Saina, India's first Olympic medallist in badminton, is seen as something revolutionary, as this is the first time two female shuttlers have been included in the star-studded list.
The other greats under the Legends' Vision banner are former world No. 1 Peter Gade of Denmark, 2004 Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, and former South Korea's men's double ace Lee Yong Dae.
