PETALING JAYA: Free your mind, Lee Zii Jia.

Former coach Wong Tat Meng believes former national No. 1 men singles shuttler Zii Jia is still holding back on court and thinks it has nothing to do with injury.

On Tuesday, the 27-year-old failed to qualify for the main draw of the Orleans Masters in France after going down 18-21, 14-21 in 36 minutes to China’s Dong Tianyao in the second round of the qualifiers at the Palais des Sports.

Earlier, he had beaten India’s S. Sankar Muthusamy 21-12, 21-18.

Zii Jia had to start from the qualifying rounds after his world ranking slipped to No. 84, having sat out most of last season due to a foot injury.

Tat Meng, who watched the match online, felt his former charge was playing with a heavy burden.

"I felt like he was trying too hard in every shot and going to the extreme with his effort. I mean, he is trying, but his movements are not agile," said Tat Meng.

"I don’t think injury is preventing him from playing. He has taken a long time to recover from it.

"It’s now about clearing his mind and playing with confidence. I’m not sure what burden he is carrying in his heart and mind, but he needs to let it go.