KUALA LUMPUR: Kenneth Jonassen, the men’s singles head coach, remains optimistic about Leong Jun Hao’s potential to ascend to the global elite, despite the athlete being 25 years old.
Jun Hao, a long-standing member of the national team, has faced setbacks primarily due to recurring injuries, which have hindered his ability to deliver standout performances.
Nevertheless,his consistent performance over the past year has propelled him to the 28th spot in the world rankings,granting him access to more prestigious tournaments.
Even though he was defeated by China’s Weng Hongyang in the second round of the Indian Open, Jun Hao’s victory over world No. 6 Li Shifeng in the opening match served as a significant confidence booster.
Jonassen emphasizes that progress is gradual and expresses satisfaction with the strides made by the Kuala Lumpur native.
“Defeating the world No. 6 (Shifeng) is a remarkable achievement, especially considering Jun Hao’s current ranking of 28th. This is a pivotal moment for him to gain valuable experience across various competitions,” Jonassen remarked.
“We’ve had discussions, but the key takeaway is that he has already demonstrated his capability to compete at the highest level.
“For me, it’s about maintaining composure, trusting in one’s abilities, and understanding the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s an ongoing process, and I believe he’s gaining valuable insights and making strategic improvements,” Jonassen added.
Jun Hao will have a chance to redeem himself against Hongyang in the first round of the upcoming Indonesian Masters,where he will face the world No. 21 once again.
“The journey becomes increasingly challenging once a player breaks into the top 32 globally.
“Every match pits you against world-class opponents, so there’s no room for complacency.
“It’s about self-belief, trusting your skills, and continuously refining the areas that need betterment. We had a productive conversation last week, and while I can’t divulge all the details, the focus is on building confidence. We’re aware of the hard work required, but it’s equally vital to believe in your ability to make an impact against top-tier players,” jonassen concluded.
