KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky hopes Toh Ee Wei can return to competition at next year’s All England after her lengthy recovery from a knee injury.
However, he stressed that no comeback date has been fixed, with her condition and rehabilitation progress determining when she can reunite with mixed doubles partner Chen Tang Jie.
Ee Wei suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee during the Singapore Open quarter-finals in May.
She left for Melbourne in June to seek specialist treatment and underwent surgery later that month before continuing her rehabilitation in Australia.
Rexy confirmed that Ee Wei has returned to Malaysia and is expected to report to the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on Nov 20.
However, Rexy said she will need some rest before resuming training.
“We have to assess her condition first. She was in good hands in Australia, and we hope she will continue receiving the right support for her rehabilitation here,” said Rexy.
“If everything goes well, we hope she can play at the All England. Otherwise, we hope she can return for the first tournament of the Olympic qualification campaign.”
The qualifying period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will run from May 3, 2027 until April 30, 2028, with the Super 300 Taiwan Open on May 4 next year being the first tournament.
Rexy added that the priority was to ensure continuity in her rehabilitation after her return from Australia, while expressing hope that she would not remain out of competition for too long.
The knee injury forced Tang Jie-Ee Wei to miss their world title defence in New Delhi in August, with the BA of Malaysia (BAM) withdrawing the pair on medical advice to prioritise her long-term recovery.
Rexy also confirmed that Tang Jie-Ee Wei have ranking protection during her absence.
Their reunion will depend on Ee Wei’s recovery, with the All England remaining a hoped-for comeback tournament rather than a confirmed return date.