Viktor Axelsen withdraws from Denmark Open 2023 due to foot injury

The World No. 1 was among the title favourites in his home tournament.

Top seed and home favourite Viktor Axelsen has withdrawn from the ongoing Denmark Open 2023 due to an injury to his left foot. World No. 1 Axelsen, who was supposed to play Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the Round of 16 clash, had to withdraw from the tournament due to a foot injury. As a result, Lee Zii Jia has now advanced to the quarterfinals of the BWF Super 750 event.

Viktor, who won his Round of 32 match comfortably after defeating compatriot Magnus Johannesen (21-7, 21-9), had shown no sign of injury during the match. However, after the match, he had revealed in an interview that he might withdraw from his round of 16 match due to pain in his left leg. He further said that something extraordinary had to happen for him to recover and play the match.

Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the competition with the BWF confirming that Axelsen has withdrawn due to an injury on his left out. This will be a huge setback for the home crowd as he was a clear favourite to win the title at the Denmark Open.

"I am disappointed I cannot compete today. I love playing in Odense and in front of the Danish audience, but it wouldn't be safe for me to play. I hope to start my rehabilitation quickly and effectively so I can get back on court as soon as possible," the World No. 1 Danish star was quoted saying by BWF after his withdrawal.

In a similar instance, Viktor Axelsen also had to retire hurt from his previous meeting against Lee Zii Jia during the Sudirman Cup 2023 quarterfinals. He suffered a hamstring injury during the clash and had to withdraw as a result of the injury.

This was supposed to be ninth meeting between the two with Axelsen leading the head-to-head record 5-3. The last time both players met, Viktor Axlsen was forced to retire due to a hamstring injury which ruled him out until mid-June.

Lee Zii Jia struggled in his opening match against Julien Carragi of Belgium who came as PFQ after the withdrawal of Priyanshu Rajawat. He somehow managed to defeat Julien (19-21, 21-15, 21-10) and will now wait for the winner of Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei and Kenta Nishimoto of Japan in the quarterfinals.