Malaysia’s top-ranked men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, have officially withdrawn from next week’s Malaysia Masters, sparking fears that Wei Chong may require surgery to address a worsening knee injury.

The World No. 6 duo were set to defend the Super 500 title they famously won last year after defeating compatriots Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in an all-Malaysian final. However, national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed today that the injury—initially hoped to be manageable—has not healed sufficiently.

“Wei Chong-Kai Wun are out of the Malaysia Masters. We were hoping they could play after that, but they also have to skip the Singapore and Indonesia Opens,” Rexy stated.

“Wei Chong has not fully recovered, and he may have to consider undergoing surgery for the injury.”

The 26-year-old shuttler has been battling a complex set of issues in his right knee since March, including a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus damage, and a chondral injury. The severity of the condition was evident during the recent Thomas Cup Finals in Denmark, where Wei Chong was limited to just one group-stage appearance against England.

The setback is particularly emotional for the Melaka-born athlete, who married his partner Ai Ting just last week. Wei Chong had expressed hope that the milestone would provide a spiritual boost for his title defense in front of a home crowd.

With the defending champions sidelined, Malaysia’s hopes for a men’s doubles title now rest on the shoulders of top seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and World No. 9 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. The main draw will also feature rising stars Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing and newly formed combinations such as Teo Ee Yi-Chia Wei Jie and Lwi Sheng Hao-Ong Yew Sin.