The World Championships 2021 begin tomorrow and in the men’s singles, Viktor Axelsen, after the year he has had is understandably the hot favourite. However, is his biggest hurdle to a second title very close to home?
The Olympic gold medallist shows no signs of slowing down after picking up the Indonesia Open and World Tour Finals titles in Bali. In the final tournament of the year, there is an expectation that he will add another World Championships to his one from 2017 when he defeated Lin Dan in the final.
Axelsen looked in good spirits after a long year, joking around with his fellow Danes, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, Rasmus Gemke and Anders Antonsen in training. Perhaps behind the smiles and laughter, there is an acknowledgement that they pose big threats to each other’s campaigns in Huelva.
The form
In his 63 matches in 2021, Axelsen has lost just four times. One withdrawal, H. S. Prannoy, Lee Zii Jia and his compatriot Anders Antonsen, in the final of the World Tour Finals 2020 in Thailand at the beginning of the year.
The two had a fascinating tactical battle in the semifinal of the All England Open and we were robbed of the European Championships final. Just maybe we will see them face-off here at the World Championships instead. Antonsen is ready!
-I feel that I am in quite a good space right now. I think I made the right decision to pull out of the last one and a half tournaments out in Bali, got home to recover and then start to practise again.
Antonsen pulled out of the Indonesia Open with a reoccurring chest injury. A tough call, but one that may prove pivotal in his path to glory.
-I feel that I have regrouped, and I am definitely ready for this tournament.
Knowing when to stop
Players have to be in tune with their bodies, especially with back-to-back tournaments. Antonsen is pleased that he was able to feel when he needed a break.
-It’s good. I think I stopped myself just at the right time. If I had continued the next few matches, I am not sure that I would have been able to play here. I focused on recovery and withdrew with enough time for me to recover. I don’t think I will feel my chest on the court now.
A hectic year
Commenting on a unique year of badminton, Antonsen states.
-It’s been hectic. It’s been very tough; I am not going to lie. Mentally and physically as well. On top of the schedule, I have been dealing with some minor annoying injuries, so it’s been tough and also frustrating, but it has also been fun to be back playing a lot of badminton.
Players echo the fans in this regard.
-We have missed that for sure and I look forward to finishing here in Huelva and taking a vacation afterwards, relaxing and finding somewhere in the world with good weather.
Asked if he will stay in Spain, a location that Antonsen used a place to recharge his batteries earlier in the year.
-I think I need to find somewhere warmer. I must say that I enjoy 25-30 degrees. That would be perfect.