I have put my injury behind, says Axelsen after winning India Open

Former world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark Sunday said he has finally put his ankle injury behind him following the title win at the India Open here.

After winning five titles, including the World Championship and BWF Super Series Finals in 2017, Axelsen had to undergo an ankle surgery early last year, which forced him to miss the All England Championships.

He recovered to win the Indonesia Open Super 1000 but has struggled in the second half of the year.

The former world no. 1, however, made a promising start this year with a title win at the Barcelona Spain Masters and a final appearance at the All England before claiming the India Open crown.

"Now I can say that I have put the injury behind me," Axelsen told reporters after defeating Kidambi Srikanth in straight games in the final Sunday.

"It has taken a lot of time and Srikanth here knows how an injury can take a toll and how long it takes to comeback to normal fitness and level of play. So I am just happy the way I came back.

"It is great to win the tournament. I don't know what to say. It is always a confident booster, especially after the All England final, it is nice to win here."
Asked about their on-court rivalry, Axelsen said: "Srikanth beat me in Denmark last time, so I thought it was nice of him to allow me to win here in India. May be next time, it should be like I win in Denmak and he wins in India and I will be cool with that."
"You need a little bit of luck. I had a lucky net chord. That's how sports is, it is fragile."