WUHAN: Injured Malaysian singles ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei is sad and disappointed that he is unable to help his team mates at the ongoing Thomas Cup badminton championships at the Wuhan Sports Centre here.

What more when the national team are up against top-seeded China in a quarter-final match tonight.

“My leg is very painful. I thought I could carry on playing but the doctor told me I have suffered a serious injury. I am said that I cannot help my team,” he said, shedding tears.

Chong Wei was met early today at the hotel where the Malaysian team are staying just before he left for the airport to return to Kuala Lumpur.

The World No. 1 tore a tendon in his right ankle in the game against Peter Hoeg Gade of Denmark in a group match yesterday. Malaysia lost the match 2-3 to Denmark.

It is learnt that the torn tendon has made it difficult for Chong Wei toeven stand and he has to use a wheelchair.

He will receive treatment at the National Sports Institute (ISN) upon his return to Kuala Lumpur.

Asked about the extent of the injury, he said, “I’m not sure. I have to let Datuk Dr Ramlan (Abdul Aziz, ISN director) look at it first.”

Chong Wei, nevertheless, is positive about his chances of playing in the London Olympics in July.

“Mentally, I have to be stronger for the Olympics,” he said.

Earlier, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, who was present to see Chong Wei home, advised the athlete to focus on the Olympics and forget about the ongoing Thomas Cup championships.

Chong Wei, who seemed to be calm at first, started sobbing upon hearing the advice from Mohd Nadzmi. –Bernama