Viktor Axelsen has defended his service technique, which became a focal point of dispute at the Denmark Open semi-finals clash against Shi Yu Qi last Saturday.
The incident happened at the start of the third game when both shuttlers were embroiled in a verbal exchange after Shi complained to the service judge that the lanky Dane was taking his time to serve.
Axelsen got infuriated with Shi’s complaints and went to remonstrate with the world number one, before both men were called up by the umpire and given a talking to.
“First of all, I’ve been serving like this for ages. Way before I won the Olympics again and before all the haters started focusing on it.
“Some people say even commentators and obviously some of the players think it’s illegal and that’s fine, they can think whatever they want. But who decides the rules? The players, commentators or the BWF, umpires and referees?
“If I have to change my serve because it’s illegal, then fine. But to think I’ll change the serve I’ve been using for years just because some people start hating on, that doesn’t make any sense. I serve like this because I feel comfortable this way and I don’t get faulted, and I will continue to do so until I am not allowed to anymore,” he posted on his social media account.
Axelsen’s serve begins with him moving the shuttle from side to side before he launches the shuttle.
The two-time Olympic champion has been penalized before for time wasting, but has mostly had no issues regarding his serve, eventhough other players such as China’s Lei Lan Xi have also complained about it before.
India’s men’s doubles ace Chirag Shetty is another shuttler who infamously uses this technique, much to the frustration of some of his opponents.
Axelsen also appeared to agree with a fan’s comment that a shot clock should be enforced in badminton, where a player is allocated a time limit for their serve.
Axelsen ended up losing to Shi 19-21, 21-17, 17-21 to Shi in a gripping semis match, and later admitted he lost out to a better opponent.
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The incident happened at the start of the third game when both shuttlers were embroiled in a verbal exchange after Shi complained to the service judge that the lanky Dane was taking his time to serve.
Axelsen got infuriated with Shi’s complaints and went to remonstrate with the world number one, before both men were called up by the umpire and given a talking to.
“First of all, I’ve been serving like this for ages. Way before I won the Olympics again and before all the haters started focusing on it.
“Some people say even commentators and obviously some of the players think it’s illegal and that’s fine, they can think whatever they want. But who decides the rules? The players, commentators or the BWF, umpires and referees?
“If I have to change my serve because it’s illegal, then fine. But to think I’ll change the serve I’ve been using for years just because some people start hating on, that doesn’t make any sense. I serve like this because I feel comfortable this way and I don’t get faulted, and I will continue to do so until I am not allowed to anymore,” he posted on his social media account.
Lost out to a better player today! Well played to Shi Yu Qi and good luck in the final! Hope we can compete again soon.
— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) October 18, 2025
Also just wanna say thanks for all the massive support I’ve been getting this week what an amazing experience ?
And yeah, I just wanna quickly talk about the…
Axelsen’s serve begins with him moving the shuttle from side to side before he launches the shuttle.
The two-time Olympic champion has been penalized before for time wasting, but has mostly had no issues regarding his serve, eventhough other players such as China’s Lei Lan Xi have also complained about it before.
India’s men’s doubles ace Chirag Shetty is another shuttler who infamously uses this technique, much to the frustration of some of his opponents.
Axelsen also appeared to agree with a fan’s comment that a shot clock should be enforced in badminton, where a player is allocated a time limit for their serve.
Axelsen ended up losing to Shi 19-21, 21-17, 17-21 to Shi in a gripping semis match, and later admitted he lost out to a better opponent.
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