Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) could not help feeling sad and disappointed after losing in the last 16 of the All England 2023. Axelsen lost to Malaysia’s representative, Ng Tze Yong, on Court 1 Utilita Arena Birmingham, England, Thursday (16/3/2023).
The world’s number 1 men’s singles badminton player lost in a three-game drama, 15-21, 21-9, and 21-23. The disappointment on his face was clear when the reigning All England 2023 champion lost in the third game. However, there were no tears.
Different things happened in the mixed zone or the player interview area after the match. Axelsen could not hold back his tears. UK sports journalist Abhijit Deshmukh uploaded a video of Axelsen’s interview on Twitter. In the video, Axelsen is seen crying and occasionally wiping the tears off his face. “I want to congratulate Ng Tze Yong,” said Axelsen in the video uploaded by Abhijit Deshmukh.
He considered that Ng Tze Yong deserved to win because he played more carefully and made fewer mistakes. In contrast to what was done by Axelsen. Axelsen actually gave a glimmer of hope when he was able to make 10 consecutive points in the second game. He, who was up 11-9 after the interval, was able to make 10 straight points and win 21-9. Hence, they need to play rubber game.
However, Viktor Axelsen lost in the decider. Many free points for Ng Tze Yong because of his mistakes. In the third game, Axelsen, who was trailing 15-19, managed to turn around winning 20-19. The match was 20-20 deuce after Axelsen’s observations at the back were not quite right. After coming back at deuce 21-12, Ng Tze Yong won thanks to his smash and Viktor Axelsen’s long shot. Ng Tze Yong won with a final score of 23-21 in the third game.
“He (Ng Tze Yong) played well and I made a lot of mistakes,” said the defending 2023 All England champion. “In every match there are winners and losers. Ng Tze Yong deserved to win and I really love it,” he explained while wiping his tears occasionally.
