Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has announced his retirement after a long-term battle with a back injury.
“Due to my recurrent back issues, I am no longer able to compete and train at the highest level. After basically trying everything to become pain-free for a long-time now, I have been advised to focus on my long-term health.
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“Accepting this situation has been incredibly difficult. But I have reached a point where my body allow me to continue.
“I have accomplished everything I once dreamed of, and more. I have had the privileges standing on the biggest stages, playing and winning the matches every player dreams of. Through it all, badminton has taught me lessons that go far beyond sport,” he posted on his social media page.
Still only 32, Axelsen leaves the sport as one of its finest representatives.
Competing in an era alongside legends of the game such as Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long, the lanky Dane went to establish himself as a household name in the current men’s singles scene.
Besides winning two gold medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics (2020 & 2024), Axelsen also won two World Championships (2017 & 2022) and the Thomas Cup with Denmark in 2016.
He was also world number one for a total of 183 weeks.
As of World Tour titles, Axelsen won 27 of them including the prestigious All-England and World Tour Finals.
Axelsen's final match came at last year's French Open, where he reached the quarter-finals.
His last title victory came at last year's German Open when he beat Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in straight games.
