Top News

Viktor Axelsen’s battle with injuries has given him perspective, and he is using it to fuel his bid for a successful return to the YONEX All England Championships.

The two-time champion in Birmingham lost out in the first round in 2025 before taking time away to undergo back surgery and rehabilitation. Since March, the Dane has featured in only five tournaments as he searches for consistency, but recent results have shown he is returning to the form that made him a double Olympic champion.

“I’m not feeling super right now,” Axelsen admitted. “I still have a few issues with my body, but I am really fighting all I can in order to get back into tip-top shape. It seems like somebody is testing me a little bit when it comes to the physical part of things. I am really hoping to get my body back on track, and hopefully I will be able to play some good badminton at the All England in March.

“I think it was Billie Jean King who said that ‘pressure is a privilege’ and that is a very good quote. Now, when I have been out of the game because of back surgery and injuries, I know that the pressure is something that I miss a lot.

“The biggest pressure is from myself, I set extremely high standards, which is very good because it keeps me going, but it is also a big pressure to handle. I love it, it is what drives me. I don’t see it as something negative, it is the opposite, it is a big motivator for me.”

Axelsen has been on the podium at the All England several times, winning in 2020 and 2022, and making the final in 2019 and 2021. In his first showpiece appearance at the Utilita Arena, he came up against Kento Momota, who was the top seed.

Momota triumphed in three sets, and the pair continued a storied rivalry, with the Japanese shuttler leading their head-to-heads 14-4. And it is those matches Axelsen believes have influenced him the most.

He added: “I’ve been fortunate to play against Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Chen Long, to name a few, but I think Kento Momota was my toughest opponent. He beat me so many times, and I had a very hard time dealing with his play style, back in the day when he was at his top.

“We didn’t really play each other when we both were at our peak. But playing against him so many times, and losing, and getting back in training, I was trying to get better every single day. I learned a lot from Kento and our matches. The thing I am most proud of is that I manage to take all those defeats and turn them into extreme motivation.”

Momota retired in 2024, having been one of the greatest men’s singles players in recent history. Axelsen is another, and he is hellbent on adding to his collection of achievements, which also boasts two world gold medals, three European titles and 132 consecutive weeks at world number one.

Adding a third All England title would only further solidify his standing in world badminton and see him continue to achieve childhood dreams.

“As a kid, I always dreamt of playing at the All England, and then winning the All England,” the 31-year-old said. “I remember the first time I played there. I have won it twice and been in the final for four consecutive years, it just means a lot to me.

“The atmosphere is amazing, my family are usually there to support me, so it is a very meaningful tournament to me. The history makes it extremely special. Back in the days before we had the World Championships, this was considered the biggest tournament.

“Besides the Olympics and the World Championships, the All England is the most important to win.”

This is the one event you do not want to miss. Tickets are now on sale for the most prestigious badminton event in the world. Birmingham, 3-8th March, 2026. Tickets - Badminton England