Viktor Axelsen, the badminton star from Denmark, is finally set to make a return to a competitive tournament with the Hong Kong Open 2025, which kicked off on Monday. .
The 31-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest men’s singles players of his generation, has been sidelined since March following a serious back injury that required surgery and an extended rehabilitation period. His last appearance came at the All England Open, where he suffered a shock first-round exit and admitted he had been playing through constant pain.
“The result is not important- what matters most is that my back holds up and that I can feel excited to play again,” Axelsen told reporters ahead of his return.
Road to Recovery
Initially hoping for a swift comeback, Victor Axelsen was forced to reassess his recovery timeline after undergoing surgery. He wanted to play BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris, held at the same venue where he won his second Olympic medal. However, his medical team strongly advised against competing, warning that returning too soon could risk further injury.
That decision led to a longer-than-expected absence, during which the Dane dropped to No. 18 in the BWF world rankings- a rare position for the two-time Olympic champion, who has spent much of the past five years inside the top five.
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Viktor Axelsen Is Unseeded
Axelsen enters the Hong Kong Open as an unseeded player, an unusual position that immediately thrusts him into a high-stakes encounter. He faces a formidable opponent in Chou Tien-chen, Taiwan’s world No. 6, in the opening round- a match-up that, under normal circumstances, would be fitting for a semifinal or final.
While Axelsen admits he is not focused on the outcome, his return undoubtedly brings a surge of excitement to the tournament.
“Looking forward to getting back on court in Hong Kong and China,” he wrote on social media, referencing his plans to also compete at the China Masters from October 16–21 in Shenzhen.
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A Tough Draw
Axelsen’s section of the draw at Hong Kong Open is stacked with talent, including top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand (world No. 3), who begins his campaign against China’s Wang Zhengxing.
The tournament will be without two major names: Shi Yuqi, China’s newly crowned world champion, and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen (world No. 2), both of whom have opted to skip the event- making Axelsen, despite his ranking, one of the biggest names in the field.
Other top-10 players set to compete include:
- Li Shifeng (China, No. 4)
- Loh Kean Yew (Singapore, No. 8)
- Kodai Naraoka (Japan, No. 9)
- Christo Popov (France, No. 10)
Also Read: BWF Hong Kong Open 2025: Points And Prize Money
Comeback More Important Than crown
Though Axelsen is not entering the tournament with gold in mind, his presence alone has already changed the landscape of the men’s singles draw. A proven champion, his return adds unpredictability and drama to the competition.
More than anything, the badminton world will be watching to see how well the Danish star can hold up physically- and whether this marks the beginning of a full resurgence ahead of the Paris 2026 Olympics.
