Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen is set to begin his campaign for a third All England Open title on Wednesday, hoping to add another prestigious trophy to his collection.
Ahead of the tournament, Axelsen marked a major milestone in his career by launching his first signature collection with YONEX. Alongside this, the Danish star extended his partnership with the brand, securing a deal that will run until the end of 2026.
As part of this collaboration, Axelsen is focused on inspiring the next generation of badminton players.
“My goal is to reach my fullest potential as a player, but the sport is much bigger than I am,” the 31-year-old said. “With YONEX, I see a great future ahead. I also want to contribute to grassroots development and support young players as they navigate their careers.”
Axelsen believes badminton is entering a “golden age,” thanks to the growing engagement of fans, especially through social media. He hopes young athletes will recognize that every player has a unique journey and playing style.
With his new YONEX collection, Axelsen joins badminton greats Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei as one of only three players to receive this honor, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
Despite his already impressive list of achievements, the Danish star remains hungry for more success. He is set to face Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei on Day 2 of the 2025 All England Open, scheduled as the penultimate match on the Minoru Yoneyama court.
Reflecting on his journey, Axelsen recalled his first appearance at the All England Open, when he had to fight through the qualification rounds.
“The atmosphere here is just different,” he said. “It’s almost like the Olympic Games—there’s something special about it. The All England final is an extraordinary experience, and I hope to do well again this year.”
As he prepares to take the court, Axelsen remains focused on both his own career and the future of the sport, determined to leave a lasting impact on badminton’s next generation.
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