After his surprising exit in the first round of the All England in March 2025, Axelsen proclaimed that he would take a longer break. About a month later, he underwent back surgery.
He returned to the court after half a year on the sidelines, but the joy was short-lived. After four tournaments, he broke down again, and Axelsen has not been in action since October last year.
The MD Head of Spine Section Department of Neurosurgery at the Aalborg University Hospital says that Axelsen has had a new prolapse, and the situation is certainly not encouraging.
"It doesn't look super positive", he says to TV2 Sport.
"He is badly affected by the back problem he has had again, and this is on top of the basic back problem he has, which is due to the wear and tear he has incurred over several years. I talk to him continuously. Without saying anything specific, it doesn't look optimistic right now", says Sebitz.
Sebitz won't encourage Axelsen to undergo surgery again in light of the life that is in front of him after the end of his career. "Life must also contain something other than badminton at some point", says Sebitz.