Viktor Axelsen ends badminton career due to chronic pain

Danish badminton star Viktor Axelsen has announced his retirement at age 32, citing unbearable nerve pain in his back and leg that has made it impossible to continue, DR Sporten reports.

“The pain is something you can’t just push through,” Axelsen said in an interview. “My body has decided to stop—it’s sad, but it’s the reality.”

The two-time Olympic champion (2021, 2024) and former world number one revealed he has been unable to train or compete for six months due to severe nerve compression in his lower spine, which causes sharp pain with even minor movements. An operation last spring and months of recovery failed to resolve the issue.

“I’ve always played through pain as an athlete, but this is different,” he explained. “The nerve pain is so intense that I can’t move properly or train. It’s pain you can’t ignore.”

Axelsen, widely regarded as Denmark’s greatest badminton player, leaves the sport with a record that includes two world championships (2017, 2022), five season finale titles, and victories at elite tournaments like the All England Open and Indonesia Open. Despite his achievements, he admitted the decision was emotionally difficult.

“I still have the motivation to play and improve. I love the game, and it’s hard to walk away when my body won’t cooperate,” he said. “This has been my entire life—it’s incredibly tough.”

The injury has also forced him to reconsider long-term goals, including a potential 2028 Olympics appearance. “I wanted to end on my own terms, on the court, not because of an injury,” he said. “But you can’t have everything.”

Axelsen described the past year as a “huge loss of control,” noting that while parenthood also demands adaptation, his injury left him powerless to pursue his passion. “It’s frustrating—it goes against who I am,” he added.

Though resigned to the decision, he reflected on his career with gratitude: “My body allowed me to achieve so much. I can’t be too bitter.”