LEE Chong Wei may not be able to win the World Super Series Finals in Liuzhou, China on Dec 14-18 but national coach Tey Seu Bock is unperturbed by the current dip in form of the World No 1.
Having reached 10 straight finals in as many months, Chong Wei suffered a double blow in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open and China Open to Lin Dan.However, Seu Bock said it is virtually impossible for any shuttler, including Lin Dan, to do what Chong Wei had done until October and that the tough schedule will only end after the Super Series Finals.
Chong Wei is expected to cross swords again with Lin Dan, the third seed, and his new challenger from China, the second-seeded Chen Long, but Seu Bock will not be particularly bothered even if his charge returns without the title.
"Chong Wei has reached 10 finals in a row while Lin Dan has been withdrawing from competitions and has also lost early in several events. Chen Long only started doing well after the World Championships (in August)," said Seu Bock yesterday.
"Chong Wei's workload has been heavy and he is exhausted. Even if he loses in the Super Series Finals, it is not the time to panic as our main objective, the London Olympics, is another nine months away.
"It is better that Chong Wei suffers a few disappointments now rather than go through a lean patch next year when the Olympics draws closer.
"He should be able to return to top condition again by February.
"We are not putting any pressure on him to win every time he plays.
"Chong Wei is not at his best while Lin Dan and Chen Long are in peak condition.
"If Chong Wei can still beat them or take them the distance in Liuzhou, it will be good enough."
Chong Wei will have less than 10 days to prepare for the Super Series Finals while Lin Dan is expected to go for a hat-trick after winning in China and Hong Kong.
But as far as Seu Bock is concerned, the Olympics remains the main goal, so the minor pitfalls along the way will not distract Chong Wei.
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