KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian shuttlers — whether elite, backup, or junior players — could take a leaf out of Viktor Axelsen’s book if they aim to achieve similar or greater success than the two-time Olympic champion.
The Danish star took to LinkedIn today to reflect on his journey as a top-10 player over the past decade.
Among the qualities he credited for his longevity, one stood out: his ability to handle constructive criticism.
In his post, the 31-year-old world number four wrote: “I focus on my own path rather than comparing myself to others. I always strive to determine what is right for me and commit fully to what I believe in.
“At the same time, I’ve learned the importance of being open to feedback from those trying to help me — a lesson I had to learn the hard way. The ability to handle constructive criticism has been essential to my growth.”
Axelsen, who has won nearly every major title except the Sudirman Cup, also emphasised the importance of consistency and resilience, even during tough times.
“Today (January 22) marks a very special day in my career, as I have officially been in the top 10 of the world rankings for 10 consecutive years. This milestone makes me reflect on the journey I’m still on as a professional badminton player.
“The past 10 years have been filled with ups and downs. There have been moments when everything went smoothly and others when I struggled with my game, motivation, or both.
“I’ve dealt with minor injuries, significant injuries (including minor surgeries), the challenges of Covid-19, the joys of becoming a father, relocating to a new country, and establishing my own training setup with new coaches.
“Through it all, I’ve learned to show up and make the most of every situation. From an early age, I understood that if I could look in the mirror each night and honestly say I had done my best with the cards I was dealt, I would build momentum—even in challenging times,” added Axelsen, who is now based in Dubai.
Last week, Axelsen won the Super 750 India Open, his third title at the tournament, equalling the singles record previously held by Malaysia’s former world number one Lee Chong Wei. — January 22, 2025