Copenhagen: In a heartfelt and unexpected post on social media, two-time Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen announced that he and his longtime girlfriend/partner Natalia Koch Rohde have amicably ended their relationship.
In a message shared via Instagram Stories, Axelsen, wrote:
“Life doesn’t always go as planned. Natalia and I have decided to part ways on good terms. Our primary focus will be on our two amazing girls and being the best possible parents for them during this difficult time. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and we don’t have any further comments.”
The news came as a surprise to many in the badminton world. The couple had been together since meeting in 2011 and share two daughters, aged five and three. Though Axelsen announced their engagement on social media in March 2011, the couple never formally married.
Natalia, who is one year younger than Axelsen, is a former Danish national women’s singles player, once reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 35 before stepping away from the national team in 2018.
💬 Respect and Co-Parenting Take Priority
Despite going their separate ways, both Axelsen and Natalia emphasized that their daughters remain their top priority, and they intend to co-parent as a team during what they described as a “difficult time.”
Fans from around the world have shown support for the couple’s respectful decision, praising their maturity and commitment to family.
🏸 Axelsen to Miss 2025 World Championships
Axelsen, who underwent spinal disc surgery earlier this year, has been recovering since a shocking first-round exit at the 2025 All England Open in March. He has been out of competition ever since and will also miss the upcoming 2025 World Badminton Championships in Paris.
His absence marks a significant gap in Denmark’s men’s singles lineup, especially as the global badminton field grows increasingly competitive.
