PETALING JAYA: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen believes that his capability in handling setbacks well has been the key to maintaining his position as the top men’s singles shuttler in the world for 100 consecutive weeks.
Axelsen had first reached No. 1 in the world rankings in September in 2017 before relinquishing top spot to Japan’s Kento Momota a year later.
The Dane, though, reclaimed the top ranking in the beginning of 2022 and has held on to his position until now.
“I’ve achieved another significant milestone in my career, having maintained the No. 1 world ranking for 100 consecutive weeks and a total of 151 weeks throughout my professional journey,” said Axelsen via social media.
“For me, while the grand titles will always hold a special place, the No. 1 ranking signifies the consistency I’ve upheld over the past year.
“A friend of mine suggested that consistency equates to having a few bad days.
“However, I don’t believe I experience fewer challenging or off days compared to other players.
“In reality, it’s a rarity for everything to align perfectly when I step onto the court.
“There’s often a particular shot or aspect that doesn’t go as planned.
“What I genuinely believe I’ve honed over the years is my ability to navigate and overcome these challenging days, both on and off the court.
“Being better at having bad days,” added Axelsen.
The 29-year-old also believes that adopting a positive mentality has helped him become the player he is today.
“In the face of professional and daily life challenges, I hold the firm belief that the key lies in transforming these situations into opportunities for personal growth,” said Axelsen.
“Opting for a positive mindset instead of indulging in negative emotions has been crucial.
“This approach ensures that a tough training day or injury doesn’t cast a shadow over other aspects of my life, providing me with the best possible chance of reaching new heights in the future.”
The Dane had enjoyed a dominant 2022 where he had captured 6 World Tour titles, gold in the World and European Championships.
Axelsen had continued his good form this year by winning the Opens in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China.
He had also won gold in the European Games in Poland in July.
