National shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei has expressed his frustration with Malaysian badminton fans, claiming that a large number of them love dropping unwarranted criticisms.
Though the former world number one secured back-to-back titles by winning the China Open and Hong Kong Open last week, he went through a period of decline last month, when he suffered early exits at the Korea as well as Japan Open.
According to Chong Wei, some of the flak he received during the slump, disappointed him to a large extent. Though he did admit that it eventually made him stronger on the inside.
“Sometimes, I don’t really know what to say. When I lose, everyone starts to doubt me and they all ask me, ‘why did you lose?’,” he told Utusan Malaysia.
“But when I win, the reaction is completely different. When I played in Denmark and France, some people asked Coach Hendrawan and Coach Seu Bock if I was retiring soon. Some even asked me to stop playing.
“But now that I’ve won, I’m receiving so much of compliments. This is the attitude of most Malaysians, they only know how to criticize. It’s disappointing for me.
“But of course, even though I hate being criticized – sometimes it’s good to have someone do it. It gives me the inner strength to bounce back and win,” he added.
Chong Wei was scheduled to compete in the Macau Open this week, but he has pulled out due to fatigue. The world number six will be replaced by Tan Kah Kok, who will be competing alongside Chong Wei Feing, Iskandar Zulkarnain, Goh Soon Huat as well as Zulfadli Zulkifli.
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