With new career-high world rank, Singapore's Jason Teh keeps patient in search of first major badminton title

SINGAPORE: Wrapped around Jason Teh's left forearm is a tattoo he got three years ago reminding him of something close to his heart.

In cursive black font and with a shuttlecock at the base, it reads "Family".

And if not for family, 24-year-old Teh might not be where he is today – at a career-high 37th in the world and in regular contention for his first major singles title.

Having started the year 61st in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) men's singles rankings, Teh has made two semi-finals and reached four finals this year, propelling him up the standings.

He is the second-highest ranked men's singles player in Singapore, behind compatriot Loh Kean Yew who is 14th.

Born in Penang, Teh got into the sport at the age of four when he accompanied his father, who played recreationally, to the neighbourhood courts.

"I was very active when I was young," Teh told CNA. "I couldn't sit still and that's why I liked going for badminton because that could burn my energy."

A few years later, Teh’s family moved to Johor Bahru to make it easier for his father, who was working in the F&B industry in Singapore, to commute to work.

Teh was studying in Montfort Junior School and this meant the pair had to get up in the wee hours of the morning to beat the traffic jams crossing the Causeway.

They usually arrived before the school gates opened, and Teh slept in the car until it was time for morning assembly. Eventually, his two sisters joined him on these trips when they too enrolled in Singapore schools.

When school was done for the day, Teh's father was waiting outside to shuttle him back to Johor Bahru for afternoon badminton training sessions.

"He supported us a lot and really gave everything," said Teh, who went on to study at Bowen Secondary