KUALA LUMPUR – Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark has withdrawn from the USD 2.5 million (RM11.25 million) HSBC World Tour Finals, paving the way for other players, like Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, to end the year on a strong note next week (December 11 to 15) in Hangzhou, China.
Axelsen, who earned automatic qualification by winning the men’s singles gold at the Paris Olympics in August, cited a persistent injury as the reason for his absence.
In a heartfelt post on social media, the great Dane wrote: “I’m dealing with an injury in my left foot, which is causing me a lot of issues, and I have been advised to deal with this immediately in order to avoid long-term problems.”
Axelsen, a three-time winner of the tournament, admitted it was difficult to step away from one of his favorite events.
“I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in Hangzhou. However, my first priority is to get 100% healthy before I compete,” he added, thanking fans for their support.
With Axelsen out, his slot will go to the next highest-ranked player on the Race to Finals standings. This opens the door for China’s Li Shi Feng, who occupies the last slot (number eight) on the list.
For Malaysian ace Lee Zii Jia, the news adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Zii Jia secured his spot among the elite eight after a challenging season, which saw him clinch the Olympic bronze in Paris.
Zii Jia’s qualification marks a significant achievement, especially considering the stiff competition on the tour this year. The World Tour Finals could be a chance for the 26-year-old to prove his mettle against the very best, particularly with Axelsen—widely regarded as the dominant force in men’s singles—no longer in the mix.
The absence of the Olympic champion may slightly level the playing field, but Zii Jia is still expected to face tough challenges from players like world number one Shi Yuqi of China, Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, and Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen.
For Zii Jia, consistency and mental resilience will be key in Hangzhou, especially having faced criticism for his dip in form after the Olympics.
The group stage draw for the World Tour Finals will be held on Saturday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hangzhou. The new World Tour Finals trophy will also be unveiled for the first time at the draw. – December 3, 2024
