Hong Kong is just like home to me, says five-time champion Lee Chong Wei
Malaysian ace wins his fifth Hong Kong Open title after defeating China’s Chen Long and avenging his defeat to the same player at last year’s Rio Olympic Games
Malaysian ace Lee Chong Wei says playing in Hong Kong is like “playing at home” as he rolled back the years to clinch his fifth men’s singles crown at the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open on Sunday.
Lee loves playing in the city and he rode an emotional wave of support from the sell-out 6,000 crowd to defeat 2016 Rio Olympic Games medallist, Chen Long, of China, 21-14, 21-19 at the Coliseum.
Defying a seven-year age gap, the 35-year-old got one over the world No 4 to gain a measure of revenge against the Chinese, who beat Lee at last year’s Rio gold medal play-off. And the Malaysian former world No 1 vowed to return to the city, which has been a happy hunting ground for him.
“I’ll see you next year,” said Lee after sealing a record fifth Hong Kong title that puts him on level terms with long-time rival Lin Dan, of China, who also has five.
“There’s strong support from fans in Hong Kong even when I was not playing here last year and the year before. In fact, I always feel like I’m playing at home each time I am playing here. But I also know I am not young any more and my physical fitness is always a concern to many people. They keep asking me if I would compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.