KUALA LUMPUR: Fans have rallied around independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia as he navigates an ongoing legal dispute with his family while attempting to rebuild his form on court.
The former All England champion applied for an interim injunction at the High Court on July 2 to prevent his father, Chee Hin, and sister, Zii Yii, both LZJ Management Sdn Bhd directors, from approving financial benefits for themselves beyond their monthly salaries.
Despite the legal issue, fans praised Zii Jia for reaching his first Super 500 semi-final of the season at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, last week.
"Facing so many problems but still can play very well and reached semi-final in Arctic Open. Well done!" wrote one fan.
Zii Jia defeated French world No. 2 Christo Popov in the quarter-finals before losing in three games to Denmark's world No. 6 Anders Antonsen.
The run lifted his world ranking from No. 56 to No. 42, while Popov dropped to world No. 3 and eventual champion Antonsen rose to world No. 2.
"All the background upheaval could have been a big reason for his erratic form," another fan said.
"Though we saw a glimpse of the old LZJ in the just-concluded Arctic Open, which is encouraging. The sooner it gets sorted out, the better for his badminton future."
Another fan expressed sympathy over his off-court issues: "I feel sorry for LZJ that he has to struggle from badminton court to legal court and still trying to maintain his performance."
Netizens noted that off-court challenges affect both independent and national players, pointing to women's singles world No. 1 An Se Young, who spoke out after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics about being neglected by the Korea Badminton Association (KBA) while injured. "Se Young too had big issues but thank goodness, it got sorted out before they affected her game. Now she is the undisputed 'Phoenix of Badminton'."
Supporters also urged others to respect his family's privacy.
"We don't know what actually happened, so let's not speculate and let the family settle it themselves. Hope they can reconcile and move forward," a fan said.
Another fan added: "Leave them alone. Internal family matters and off-court personal things are not our business. But good to see his old form back... keep it up LZJ."
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