KUALA LUMPUR – Despite not securing any titles this year, world number one men’s singles player Viktor Axelsen believes he does not need to prove his prowess on the court.
With nearly two decades of international competition under his belt, Axelsen has already achieved tremendous success, including winning major titles like the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and two world championships in 2017 and 2022.
Additionally, he has clinched the European title three times and played a pivotal role in Denmark’s Thomas Cup victory in 2016.
The Dane also won the All England title in 2020, making history as the first European and Dane to lift the men’s singles trophy since 1999.
Axelsen has been a formidable force in international men’s singles badminton, reigning supreme in the event over the past three years.
However, a left leg injury earlier this year has caused some inconsistency in his performance.
Yet, when questioned by the media following his advancement to the second round of the Malaysia Masters today, Axelsen candidly confessed that his hunger for championships remains undiminished, despite his already impressive collection of championship trophies.
“Who should I prove everything to? You? No, I really like you all, but I don’t play for anybody else’s sake. I play for my own sake, my family, and I don’t need to prove anything. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not as hungry as before.
“I am just as hungry as when I was 15 years old. I can get back and win basically everything, that’s up to me. Everything now will be a bonus. That makes me very dangerous if I am in good physical shape,” said Axelsen.
The 30-year-old player progressed to the second round after a decisive victory against Japanese player Koki Watanabe, securing a score of 21-14, 21-11.
He is poised to face the young Thai player, Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul, ranked 79th in the world, in the second round tomorrow.
As the first European player to claim victory in this championship in 2018, Axelsen is determined to break his championship dry spell during his month-long campaign in this competition.
“I am really happy to be through to the second round. I always enjoy playing in this arena. As in my earliest memories of playing on this court, it’s a special place. My game today was great, I think, considering everything. I played at a high pace, made not too many mistakes, and was quite comfortable with the process.
“I hope so. I always do my best. I don’t just think in days, hours, and minutes on court. I have been really blessed and fortunate with what I have won so far. I find a lot of peace in that. I don’t feel any additional pressure just because I haven’t won any titles this year.
“I am doing my best every single day. I have had a lot of issues with my body over the last few months, which I am slowly figuring out now. So, I am feeling physically stronger and stronger now. I am really reliant on my physical abilities in my game, and I am coming back now,” he added. – May 22, 2024