Viktor Axelsen retires at 32 because of his back
The Danish double Olympic champion announced on 15 April 2026 that recurring back problems no longer let him compete at the highest level.
The announcement
Denmark's Viktor Axelsen announced his retirement on Wednesday 15 April 2026, aged 32, according to The Star and Onmanorama. He said: "Due to my recurrent back issues, I am no longer able to compete and train at the highest level." Onmanorama quotes him as saying "it is simply my body telling me to stop".
The injury
The Star says he tried endoscopic surgery, multiple injections and other treatments and was advised to focus on his long-term health. Onmanorama adds that doctors warned another operation could follow if he continued, and that his last tournament was the Denmark Open in October 2025.
His career
Both outlets list two Olympic gold medals (Tokyo and Paris). Onmanorama adds world titles in 2017 and 2022, three European titles and 183 weeks at world No. 1, the third-longest stretch in history; The Star mentions 132 consecutive weeks, which is consistent with a longer total, though the papers do not explain the difference.
Why it matters
The best European singles player of his generation leaves the circuit. Neither text mentions plans for after retirement.