FORMER world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen hopes to be remembered as a player who gave everything on court – and as someone who inspired the next generation to believe they could break barriers once thought impossible.
“I hope people remember me as that,” he said in Mandarin when responding to a fan during the ‘Celebrating the Legacy of Viktor Axelsen’ event by Monitor ERP in Tanjung Tokong, Penang.
“It shows that if you stay focused and reach your potential, you can break barriers people once thought impossible.”
The 32‑year‑old Dane retired from international badminton in April after a prolonged battle with a chronic back injury, drawing the curtain on one of the sport’s most complete careers.
Axelsen won virtually every major title available: two Olympic gold medals, two world championships, two All England crowns, the Thomas Cup and four European Championships.
He also won more than 30 Open titles and spent 183 weeks as the world No. 1.
Axelsen said he first believed he could reach the sport’s summit at around 16 when he got a clear sense of the standard required competing against senior players.
Winning the 2010 World Junior Championships marked his breakthrough, with his first major senior title coming in 2016.
Reflecting on his toughest rivals, he named Malaysia’s Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei and Japan’s Kento Momota as the players who shaped him most.
“If I had to choose one, it would probably be Kento Momota,” he said.
Matches against Lee in Malaysia, he added, were a different kind of challenge.
“When you play Chong Wei in Malaysia, basically you have zero chance. That was a very humbling experience,” he said with a laugh.
Life after retirement has been no less busy. Axelsen now divides his days between family time, training, and media and sponsorship commitments.
“I usually send my kids to school or nursery, then I go to the gym to train.
“I’m trying to get my body back in shape. Maybe next time you see me, I’ll be a bit bigger,” he joked.
He admitted that adjusting to life beyond the tour has been a significant transition.
“When you’re a badminton player, your only identity is the badminton player. When that suddenly changes, you have to figure out how to function in normal life.
“That’s a huge challenge, but sport has prepared me for it.”
Asked whether facing a top opponent or a toddler refusing to sleep was harder, he didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely a toddler who won’t go to sleep. I thought I was very patient before I had kids, but I realised I needed to improve my patience.”
Parenthood, he said, has been one of the most meaningful and educational journeys of his life.
“Patience on court is easier than patience with children.”
Axelsen also revealed that before fully committing to badminton, he spent his early teens playing video games such as Counter‑Strike and World of Warcraft.
“Sometimes I still miss playing them, but I don’t really have time anymore,” he said.
