New Delhi, April 15: Renowned badminton player Viktor Axelsen, a two-time Olympic medalist, announced his retirement from professional badminton on Wednesday at the age of 32. The decision comes due to ongoing back issues that have plagued him for some time.
Axelsen has been sidelined since earlier this year after winning titles at the India Open and German Open, primarily due to his back problems.
In an interview with Badminton Europe, Axelsen stated, “Due to persistent back issues, not recovering well after surgery, and recurring pain, I have been unable to train or compete at the necessary level. This forced me to make the difficult decision to retire.”
He added, “Most people know I have been struggling with back problems. I underwent surgery last April and went through a long rehabilitation process. I faced a setback in October. Since those tournaments, I haven’t been able to play or train at the required level due to pain.”
Axelsen made his professional debut in 2010. Since then, he has won major titles at the World Tour Super 1000 level or higher in both team and individual events, except for the Sudirman Cup. He is only the second non-Asian player to win the World Championships twice (2017 and 2022). He holds the record for the most Olympic medals won by a male badminton player, having secured gold at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, along with a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. He is also a three-time European champion and has won the Thomas Cup.
Axelsen revealed that his retirement decision was made after consulting with the doctor who performed his surgery. The doctor indicated that another surgery might be necessary for his current pain, and if not addressed, further complications could arise. Therefore, he felt his body was signaling him to stop.
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