The world number two leaves the Danish National Team Centre in Brøndby, Denmark, as he makes Dubai his new home and training base.
After a fruitful period at the Danish National Training Centre which saw him winning important Junior titles, building his senior career that would see him become a top player in the world, Viktor Axelsen has made the decision to leave for Dubai.
- Viktor is in Dubai and he wants to have his daily training in Dubai. Thus, he is no longer part of the regular national team training in Brøndby, Tore Vilhelmsen, Chairman of Badminton Denmark said to Danish TV 2 SPORT.
Grateful but looking forward to a new independence
The official announcement has been made today and according to Jyllands-Posten, the Dane has already registered his population register in Dubai. However, the player has commented that there will be a full statement released after holding the needed talks with all parties involved.
- There will be an in-depth comment when we have held a meeting with all the people involved, out of pure respect for both parties, Viktor Axelsen said to TV 2 SPORT.
The Olympic champion also spoke to Jyllands-Posten and is looking forward to the beginning of his new chapter at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai.
- I am deeply grateful for all the help and for the training environment that I have been a part of in the elite center in Brøndby, but I have also been there since I was 16, Viktor Axelsen said.
A change in his relationship with his national team
The men’s singles player is optimistic about his move in his search for a different environment, but Axelsen’s recent change will carry consequences when it comes to his relationship with the national coaches due to the evident distance between his native country and the capital of the emirate.
- It is a very, very close collaboration. And since Viktor now wants to live in Dubai, train there and have his base there, our coaches will not be able to work with him full time. Thus, there is some cooperation between those who can no longer be there, Tore Vilhelmsen said to TV 2 SPORT.
This has not been a sudden decision as the Chairman of Badminton Denmark mentioned that it has been a process of several talks with the player in which they have all reached come to an understanding.
- This is something that has been discussed for a long time, and we have talked to Viktor, his manager, and his staff about how it can look in the future. We really think we have found each other in some agreement in relation to that, Vilhelmsen added.
Aiming at feeling his best
Axelsen knows that he will be facing criticism after the big announcement, but he emphasises that the importance of his decision does not just rely on his search for a new optimal environment, but also on his health.
In a recent Facebook post that makes reference to his comments made to Jyllands-Posten, the 27-year-old player highlights the struggles he faces when training in Denmark. His enormous success makes going out in public with his family harder, but the long distance between home and Asia when attending tournaments as well as the allergy issues for Axelsen that the Danish summer brings with it have also played a big part in his move.
- It is deeply frustrating and inhibiting because I go 15-20 percent down in lung capacity when I am hardest hit. I'm not happy to take all that medicine, because I'm health conscious, but in Dubai I do not feel anything for the allergy at all. In addition to the good training conditions, it will also give me much more time with the family, who can also more easily travel with them to tournaments in Asia, now that the trips are not so long. I go about 180 days a year. Therefore, it will mean a lot to be able to avoid having to travel all the way from the East home to Europe, the player said to Jyllands-Posten.