Dubai: Denmark’s two-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen was extremely frustrated with the unfair treatment from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after he withdrew from the BWF World Tour Finals due to a left foot injury.
However, withdrawing from the BWF World Tour Finals turned out to be more complicated than expected.
Just hours after submitting his withdrawal, Axelsen received a message from BWF.
“Please submit his medical documents or any other relevant documents to apply for exemption from the penalty for not playing in the season-ending finals,” reads a letter from BWF addressed to Badminton Denmark, which Axelsen shared on his social media platform, X.
In other words, Axelsen faces a fine if he does not participate in the season-ending finals in Hangzhou this December.
Axelsen didn’t hold back in his response to BWF.
“I’ve tried several times to send my documents when I’ve been sick or injured, and every single time I’ve been fined anyway,” Axelsen wrote. “So just send me the fine.”
With Viktor Axelsen’s withdrawal, China’s Li Shi Feng has stepped in to fill the vacant spot. Here are the men’s singles players who have qualified for the BWF World Tour Finals:
- Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
- Shi Yu Qi (China)
- Chou Tien Chen (Taiwan)
- Kodai Naraoka (Japan)
- Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand)
- Lee Zii Jia (Malaysia)
- Jonathan Christie (Indonesia)
- Li Shi Feng (China)
Meanwhile, Axelsen is not alone in his frustration. The reason Axelsen faces a fine for skipping the finals is due to BWF’s rule that the top 15 players in the world are required to participate in major tournaments, including the season-ending finals and Super 1000 and Super 750 events.
Axelsen isn’t the only player unhappy with BWF’s handling of such cases. Last week, American women’s singles player Beiwen Zhang voiced similar frustrations, criticizing the federation for its rigid approach to player management.
American badminton player Beiwen Zhang has voiced her frustrations on Instagram, revealing that she faces fines of USD $5,000 for each tournament she skips.
“If I don’t want to pay the fines, I am forced to fly (to Asia) at my own expense and participate in two days of commercial activities,” Zhang explained.
This lack of financial support leaves Zhang solely responsible for her costs.
“BWF doesn’t care about the mental and psychological toll we players endure,” she added. Currently, Zhang is the world’s Number 15 women’s singles player.
Viktor Axelsen has also taken note of Zhang’s criticism of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
In his own public statement on Tuesday, Axelsen referenced Zhang’s situation, emphasizing the broader issues facing players under BWF’s policies. He concluded with a rhetorical question aimed at BWF:
“I have absolutely no need to “beef” with BWF, but I’m so tired of the disconnect between players and BWF.
Everything needs to go through the Federation, but I’m an individual athlete with my own team, making my own decisions!
Some players are happy to be in the federation. That’s great, but we are some athletes who are independent!
What has especially upset me recently is the handling of Beiwen Zhang’s case. She is struggling mentally and financially, but she has no choice but to continue playing because “mental health” is not a good enough reason to avoid the obligations for “Top Comitted Players.”
View this post on Instagram
If we as a sport don’t take mental health seriously, then where are we heading?
I appreciate what the work Athlete Committe are doing, but I’m very sorry, but we have absolutely no power to change anything as the situation is now, and the only way BWF will listen is that we as players speak up.
Many players are scared to talk publicly, which is understandable, giving the power Federations have. But I have a responsibility. For current players and future generations. And I’m not going to not speak my mind!!! And also YOU, the fans. Deserve to know what is going on.
Without the support from all you around the world, we are nothing, and it’s time we all acknowledge this. We need to work together, and we as players need to be heard. BWF has many good things to grow our sport, but we could do so much better together.
Will there be any change because of my posts? Probably not, but I won’t look back in years from now and look at a career where I didn’t fight for what I think is right for the players, the fans, and our sport!”
I have absolutely no need to “beef” with BWF, but I’m so tired of the disconnect between players and BWF.
Everything needs to go through the Federation, but I’m an individual athlete with my own team, making my own decisions!
Some players are happy to be in the federation.…
— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) December 4, 2024
