The Unpredictable and Fascinating Development of Badminton Men’s Singles in the Post Lin Dan-Lee Chong Wei Era

Viktor Axelsen (Denmark, 24 years of age)

Viktor Axelsen

Since his days at the junior level, Viktor Axelsen has convinced many that he is the undisputed heir of Peter Gade and will one day enter the center stage of world badminton. Indeed, 2017 was the breakthrough year for Axelsen. He defeated Chou Tien Chen, Chen Long and Lin Dan to become a world champion (the first Dane to do so in twenty years).

Three months later, he defeated Shi Yuqi and Lee Chong Wei to win the Superseries Finals in Dubai. As he climbed to the top of the BWF World Rankings and won the first event of the BWF calendar in 2018, it was thought that Axelsen is going to take over men’s singles for the year. Unfortunately, an ankle injury in January ruled him out of action for a few months. Since then, for whatever reasons, the Dane has failed to replicate his top form in the second half of last year.

He has only won the European Championship since returning from injury and repeatedly lost to his arch rivals – Kento Momota, Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long. He also failed to help Denmark regaining their Thomas Cup title, and his defeat to Momota was regarded by some as the decisive factor in Denmark’s slip-up against Japan in the semi-final. Axelsen’s recent struggles should be seen as a hiccup for a promising youngster. After all, his countless firepower—steep smashes, technical ability, intelligence and confidence on the court—had made him so successful last year. Axelsen certainly can hit top form again in the future, so long as he is given a period of good rest and readjustment at the end of the year.