KUALA LUMPUR — “Go ahead and send me the fine,” declared two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, expressing frustration with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after withdrawing from the USD 2.5 million (RM11.25 million) World Tour Finals.
Axelsen, who cited a persistent left foot injury, criticised the BWF for what he called a lack of genuine concern for players’ well-being.
In an email to the BWF, which he shared on X, the Danish player noted, “I have tried on multiple occasions to send supporting documents when I’ve been sick or injured, and every single time I get the fine anyway.”
Referring to fellow player American Zhang Beiwen’s struggles, he added, “This just reinforces my opinion that BWF publicly claims to care about players’ well-being, but in the end, do you really?”
Axelsen’s withdrawal paves the way for other players, including Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, to make their mark in the Finals, set to take place from December 11 to 15 in Hangzhou, China.
Axelsen, who secured automatic qualification by winning the men’s singles gold at the Paris Olympics in August, shared his disappointment about missing one of his favourite events.
“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 to avoid long-term problems,” Axelsen wrote on social media previously.
The three-time World Tour Finals champion added, “I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in Hangzhou. However, my first priority is to get 100% healthy before I compete.”
With Axelsen out, his slot in the Finals will go to China’s Li Shi Feng, the next highest-ranked player on the Race to Finals standings.
Axelsen’s absence is a significant development for Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, who secured his place among the elite eight after a challenging season capped by an Olympic bronze in Paris.
The Finals offer Zii Jia an opportunity to close the year on a high note, potentially benefitting from the absence of the sport’s dominant force.
However, the competition remains fierce, with world number one Shi Yuqi of China, Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, and Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn all vying for glory in Hangzhou.
Axelsen’s critique of the BWF comes amid a broader conversation about player welfare, reignited by Beiwen’s emotional account of her struggles as a self-funded athlete.
Beiwen’s social media post highlighted issues such as financial strain, isolation, and the mental toll of the BWF’s demanding tournament schedule.
“Players like Viktor and I have spoken out many times about the hectic and unforgiving schedule, but nothing has changed,” said three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei. “My heart goes out to Beiwen.”
The BWF’s Top Committed Players Obligation, which mandates top-ranked players to participate in a set number of tournaments annually, has been a recurring point of contention.
Critics argue it prioritises commercial interests over athlete well-being, with Axelsen’s and Beiwen’s experiences underscoring the need for reform.
The group stage draw, set to take place on Saturday in Hangzhou, will also see the unveiling of the new World Tour Finals trophy. — December 4, 2024
