Malaysia’s national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has urged emerging badminton players K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching to remain patient amid recent struggles on the international circuit. Both athletes have faced a series of early exits since moving up to higher-level tournaments this year, prompting concerns over their form and confidence.

Since achieving a quarter-final finish at the Malaysian Masters in May, Letshanaa has failed to progress beyond the second round in six subsequent tournaments. Most recently, she was defeated by China’s world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi in the second round of the China Masters. Similarly, Ling Ching has experienced a challenging period marked by multiple early round losses, including a first-round exit at her debut World Championships in New Delhi two weeks ago.

Despite these setbacks, Jonassen, a Dane overseeing Malaysia’s singles program, emphasized the importance of mental resilience during this transitional phase. He cautioned against expecting immediate success at the highest level and encouraged the players to focus on long-term development.

“Maybe you don’t taste the sweet right now. It would be highly unlikely that you suddenly go from entering these tournaments to being able to challenge the very best. It will be a process,” Jonassen said. He acknowledged the psychological difficulty athletes often face when competing against top-tier opponents, noting that accepting such results is a critical part of growth.

Jonassen highlighted that performing below one’s peak against elite players often results in losses, but this does not necessarily indicate fundamental flaws. He stressed the need for patience and trust in the development process, warning that “there will be a lot of bumps on the road right now.”

The coach remains optimistic that continued hard work will lead to improved outcomes for both Letshanaa and Ling Ching. Looking ahead, the duo is poised to lead Malaysia’s effort at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled from September 19 to October 4. They are expected to compete in both the women’s team and individual events as Malaysia aims to make a strong showing in the regional multi-sport competition.