In a recent vlog posted to Viktor Axelsen’s YouTube channel, fans are given a rare and personal look into the two-time Olympic medalist’s ongoing recovery process.

Axelsen has recently shown visible signs of pain and discomfort on court, most notably during his first-round defeat at the All England Open. After the match, he revealed that he had been playing on painkillers and was considering a long break from competition.

(Axelsen interview after All England loss)

His absence has been notable at key events such as the European Championships and the Sudirman Cup, tournaments where fans would usually expect to see him compete.

The surgery
In the video, Axelsen opens up about an upcoming endoscopic back surgery. Initially, he had hoped the issue would resolve in a manner similar to previous back problems, either naturally or, as in a recent case, through an injection that relieved the pain. This optimism led him to delay activating the protected ranking mechanism, which allows athletes sidelined for 3 to 12 months to retain their tournament seeding.

However, the tone shifts after the surgery. A visibly surprised Axelsen shares his reaction upon hearing from doctors that the recovery will take longer than anticipated. He now faces at least six weeks without any physical rehab, pushing his return to the court to a minimum of three months.

(See Axelsen's reaction to the doctor's assessment around the 9.20 mark from his vlog)

Axelsen's future
This development raises questions among fans: will Axelsen be ready for the TotalEnergies 2025 BWF World Championships, set to take place this August in Paris? While a more serious injury gives worry to many, some take solace in the fact that the champion seems to take his recovery process seriously and is not rushing to get back on court in a reckless manner.

The start date of the World Championships falls just within the recovery window, making participation theoretically possible, but far from certain. A key date to look out for will be May 22, when the deadline is for players to be confirmed for the World Championship. This will give us a good indication of where he is in his recovery process.

ith Axelsen's stated goal of getting a third gold medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, this surgery and rehab hopefully will be just what is needed to secure a smooth and successful recovery.