By Women’s Badminton.

Womensbadminton.co.uk ©2020 Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved

Photo: On the podium at the All England 2020. Screenshot from BWF TV

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“I’m both happy and really emotional – it’s just crazy”
Viktor Axelsen after victory at the All England 2020.

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Viktor’s win over CHOU Tien Chen at the All England was roared on by thousands of fans watching in the arena and all over the world.  He became the first Danish man this century to win the Men’s Singles title and there is no doubt that he is the most successful European player in world badminton at the moment. 

Axelsen had come through a tough twelve months before taking his place at the top of the podium in Birmingham in 2020.  Back in March 2019 he was the beaten finalist; conquered in three sets by Kento Momota.  The Japanese #1 played beautifully controlled badminton and Viktor just could not impose his strategy upon the match.  He fought hard but failed.  Later that month he won the India Open, in April he was knocked out at the semi-final stage of the Singapore Open – again by Momota –  and in May, he represented Denmark at the Sudirman Cup.

Then, for a while, it seemed as though he had done something to anger the badminton Gods.  Firstly, allergies struck.  According to some reports he was suffering quite severe hayfever and his breathing was affected.  He had to pull out of the European Games. Then he stunned his supporters with the news in July that he had to withdraw indefinitely from competition owing to chronic pain in his leg.  It was a persistent injury with no obvious end in sight; it meant he was absent from Istora and we all wondered when or even if, we would see him back on court.

Any elite player who can compete without pain is an exception.  We have all spotted our favourites playing with strapping; often the tape is flesh coloured. so it isn’t too obvious but it is still there.  Similarly, a post-match press conference without applied ice is unusual.  Badminton is such a physically demanding sport.  Men’s Singles strategy requires the competitors to exert maximum movement pressure upon each other.  Speed and instantaneous changes of direction are foundations of success.  Although niggles can be endured, an injury like Viktor’s had to be healed before he could return.

Summer passed and September saw him re-emerge into the game.  It was with relief that we saw him playing with no obvious problems.  Not only that, he was still a top 10 player who could equal pretty much anyone apart from Momota on court. He started putting together some momentum and appeared in 2 Semi Finals in Oct, the new year saw this improvement continue and he arrived at the YAE with no obvious injury worries.

His tournament began very smoothly and VA reached his SF without dropping a set.  This game against the up and coming LEE Zii Jia was a ferocious battle.  The Malaysian has been tipped by LEE Chong Wei as a live hope for a medal at the next Olympics but he was playing at his first All England.  Axelsen struggled to contain his lightening speed and aggression.  It got to 19-19 in the final set and ‘that’ point.  Victor had to really sweat for his place in the final but he pushed home and secured it.

The final was set up. CTC awaited.

From the moment Viktor stepped onto the Minoru Yoneyama court he dominated the match.  His aggression and pressure were irresistible and there were times when CTC just could not get into the rallies.  As points flew by CHOU Tien Chen was powerless to stop Axelsen’s impetus.  The Danes drive and desire, his determination to seize this opportunity was formidable.

Viktor is a competitor who wears his heart on his sleeve, and what is more, the last year has been an emotional rollercoaster. His career has had plenty of high points; he was World Champion in 2017, plus he won Bronze at the Rio Olympics but the All England is a special tournament.   He becomes the first Danish man since Peter Gade to hold the title so it was no surprise to see his overwhelming elation when he won.  It is his first Super 1000 title and when badminton restarts it’s going to be fascinating to see where his ambition can take him; for sure he must be hungry to get back onto a court and take his place amongst the best in the world.

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This article first appeared on the Yonex All England website https://www.allenglandbadminton.com/

If you enjoyed this you may like this one about Anthony Ginting https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2019/11/25/anthony-sinisuka-ginting/ or this about Kento Momota https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2019/12/27/kento-momota/

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©2020 Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved