Wiktor Axelsen won’t be competing this week Indonesian champions due to fatigue, the badminton world number 1 said via Twitter.
Axelsen was the first seed and defending champion of the Jakarta tournament, which began on Tuesday (January 24). The Dane was drawn Lu Guang Zu in the first round.
“Unfortunately I won’t be going to Indonesia next week,” Axelsen said in a late Sunday night post after losing to Thailand Kunlavut Vitidsarn in three matches of the India Open final.
“As always, I was looking forward to playing in Istor in front of the amazing (Indonesian) badminton fans, but my body is not ready for another week of competition.”
The reigning Olympic and World Champion and Player of the Year won a phenomenal 13 consecutive finals starting Sunday, including Malaysia open the week before.
His last defeat in a final was in 2021 England Open Championship against Lee Zii Jia.
Axelsen did not say when his next competition will take place. He’s not on the entry list for next week Thai champions.
“It’s competitive badminton. Even though I’ve done well in the last many finals, you can’t expect me to win and win and win – that’s not how it works,” he said in post-match comments.
“I try to give my best every time, but unfortunately today wasn’t my time, it was Kunlavut time.”
