KUALA LUMPUR: Missing the World Tour Finals (WTF) could be a blessing in disguise for Viktor Axelsen as he seeks his third Malaysia Open crown next month.
The World No. 4 Dane withdrew from the WTF, citing a leg injury.
Former international Rashid Sidek said the break should help Axelsen to be at his best at the Super 1000 event at the Axiata Arena on Jan 7-12.
While his rivals were battling at the WTF, Axelsen was focused on recovery and training besides having a vacation in the Maldives during the Christmas holidays to rejuvenate himself.
Rashid said the BWF competition schedule is hectic, and that makes it difficult to have quality time in training.
Thus the former national singles coach believes a fresher Axelsen, who won the Malaysia Open in 2022 and 2023, will be in a strong position to win his third next month.
"Axelsen has made the right decision to take a break. This is important as the hectic schedule requires players to compete in two to three tournaments every month and there is hardly time for training.
"(Anders) Antonson is the defending champion but he has been playing non-stop and it will be hard to maintain the intensity without proper rest and quality training.
"(Shi) Yu Qi struggles when he is expected to do well and as the WTF champion, he may be under pressure."
Everything points to another Viking triumph at the Malaysia Open, and Axelsen is out to become the first Danish player to win three titles in the men's singles.