Olympic and world champion Viktor Axelsen feels the sport’s governing physique (BWF) ought to hold gamers’ well being in thoughts whereas charting out the present worldwide schedule as at the moment it’s “robust”.
The 29-year-old from Odense gained eight titles in 2022, together with the World Championships, All England and World Tour Finals. He began the yr with one other dominating present, profitable the Malaysia Tremendous 1000 in Kuala Lumpur.
On Sunday, the world No. 1 Dane completed runner-up at India Open Tremendous 750 after dropping in three video games to Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand within the closing.
“I attempt to relaxation and put together greatest means potential to maintain my physique in prime circumstances however it’s not straightforward, particularly with the journey in between tournaments, it’s actually robust,” he advised reporters.
“All and all, you may’t anticipate gamers to maintain performing week after week, that’s how it’s.
“There are such a lot of tournaments in world tour now and gamers well being is clearly one thing which particular person gamers should take care as a result of you may’t play every little thing and carry out good throughout the yr.” Requested if there’s a must have breaks between world tour occasions, Axelsen mentioned: “It’s clearly good for badminton with many tournaments however we must also keep in mind about gamers well being.
“Having 5-6 hours flight, going from Malaysia then flying all the way in which to India throughout time zone, and flying again in identical time zone, while you have a look at the well being, and every little thing, it’s not good and hopefully we are able to do higher.” Speaking about his targets this yr, Axelsen mentioned: “There’s a world championships in Denmark, which I need to do nicely in. Tremendous 1000s is one thing which I prioritise rather a lot. Final week I gained one among them and hopefully I can do it once more on the All England.” Kunlavut on Sunday grew to become solely the fourth participant to beat Axelsen within the final 13 months and the Dane mentioned he couldn’t mount his assault towards the 21-year-old Thai sensation within the closing.
“My assault and presence on courtroom was not the very best. There have been few factors the place one went over the online in finish of first sport and he took the sport. If I might have taken that it might have been totally different,” the two-time former champion mentioned.
“That is aggressive badminton. Although I’ve performed nicely in previous few tournaments however I cant hold wining on a regular basis. It wasn’t my time. I need to congratulate Kunlavut.”