KUALA LUMPUR: Last year was a thing of the past for former World No 1 Viktor Axelsen, who is all fired up to defend his men's singles crown at the Malaysia Masters this week.
After battling injuries and other health issues last year, the 25-year-old Dane is raring to play top level badminton again, especially after competing in the recent Premier Badminton League (PBL) in India.
Boosted by a training stint at the Sports Affairs Badminton Academy under former national coach, Rashid Sidek, the lanky shuttler aims to get the season off on the right track.
“I haven't been playing that many matches in a long time, so to expect I can go in and play like a dream might not be rational,” he said.
“I had a rough 2018 but it's over now and I have to look forward. It's important that my training has been going well so I can perform in tournaments.
“I think playing in the PBL was a great opportunity for me to get back in tourna ment mode.
“It's also awesome that I was welcomed by Sports Affairs. It's great because I had the opportunity to come here early after India to train with players like (Liew) Daren and Iskandar (Zulkarnain Zainuddin). These players are welcomed to do the same in Denmark,” said Axelsen, who will begin his title defence at the Axiata Arena tomorrow against Japan's Kazumasa Sakai.
On his chances of successfully defending the crown. the Rio Olympics bronze medallist said: “I hope I can play high level badminton here but I also have to think about how my preparation has been over the past six months. Having said that, the last eight to nine weeks have been great.
“I haven't really looked at the draw much but I know I'm playing Sakai on Wednesday. It's going to be a tough one and I was joking about taking part in all the Japanese championships this year, because there are just so many Japanese players. I know your guys are probably bored to hear this but it's important I take it one match at a time.
“I don't really find motivation in proving 2018, I did the best I could but I just had complications with my body. I know if I look after my body, I can have good practice and then play well.”
“I know if I prepared well then I have a chance. There are many top players and I may not be the best right now but I believe in myself. “
On a separate note, Axelsen, shared some updates on the ongoing battle between the Danish BA and players in Denmark.
“I took to Facebook when I got here and it's really a little frustrating, because the Danish BA don't want to talk to us players right now, all the players are together. We want to talk but right now they don’t want to. Instead, they have given us a deadline until Jan 25 to find a solution or we all walk out. We want to get a good agreement where everyone agrees,” said Axelsen.
After reaching an agreement over various issues including sponsorship and subsidies in 2013, the two sides have been negotiating on the terms of a new deal but they have been unable to reach satisfying results.
Apart from Axelsen, the other Danish men's singles for the Malaysia Masters are Anders Antonsen, Rasmus Gemke, Jan Jorgensen and Hans Kristian Solberg Vittinghus.