KUALA LUMPUR – World number one Viktor Axelsen is set to miss the China Masters, which will start tomorrow in Shenzhen, due to fatigue.
Axelsen’s withdrawal will be a boost to all the other top players in the world as the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist is in top form after capturing the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023 yesterday.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be participating in the China Masters this week. Would have loved to play but my foot is simply not ready to play consecutive weeks with many hard matches.
“I will take a few days to recover and get healthy before I jump on the court again.
“A shame, as I love to play in China but luckily I will come back in December for the HSBC World Tour Finals,” he said on X.
Yesterday, Axelsen defeated China’s world number 7, Shi Yuqi, in the final. He won 22-20, 21-17 to claim the title for the first time.
Meanwhile, other players who will be in action at the China Masters this week are Indonesia’s fourth-ranked Jonatan Christie and Japan’s fifth-ranked Kodai Naraoka, who are poised to take advantage of Axelsen’s absence from the tournament.
Malaysia will once again be counting on independent player Lee Zii Jia and BA of Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong to step up and perform well, as the China Masters is a Super 750 event and is part of the Olympic qualifications. – November 20, 2023
A short update to let you know that I unfortunately won’t be participating in China Masters this week. Would’ve loved to play, but my foot is simply not ready to play consecutive weeks with many hard matches.
— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) November 19, 2023
I will take a few days to recover and get healthy before I jump on the…