Just go ahead and send me the fine, Axelsen tells BWF

Viktor Axelsen has voiced his frustrations with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and is even resigned to paying a fine after he pulled out of the season-ending World Tour Finals (WTF) due to injury.

The reigning Olympic champion announced on Monday he was withdrawing from the next week’s WTF due to a left foot injury.

The current world number three later shared an email response from the world governing body requesting for his medical documents as proof, and also to seek a penalty waiver for not playing in the prestigious event.

“As a top committed player, it’s mandatory to play in the WTF should a player qualify. I am sure it must have been a difficult decision for Viktor, but we hope Badminton Denmark can follow up with the relevant documents,” read the BWF email posted by Axelsen.

The WTF five-time winner was clearly not happy with the request from the world body, to which he replied : “I have tried on multiple occasions to send supporting documents when I have been sick and injured, and every single time I get the fine anyway.

“Reading about Beiwen Zhang’s case about her situation just reinforces my opinion that BWF say publicly they care about the player’s wellbeing, but in the end, do you really?

“Just go ahead and send me the fine,” he posted.

Last year, the 30-year-old launched a tirade against BWF over delayed prize money and player welfare.

That issue arose after the Danish star said BWF fined him $5000 (RM22,331) for not playing at the Singapore Open, during which he was undergoing rehab for a muscle strain.

BWF responded by saying Axelsen’s statement were inaccurate and out of context.

Axelsen in his reply went on to question the players’ welfare with regards to their prize money.

China's Li Shi Feng will replace Axelsen at the WTF.