Gain exclusive insight into the daily routine of Olympic Gold medalist and HSBC Global Ambassador, Viktor Axelsen, as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at his own life and how he prepares to perform at his best.  

Take a moment to enjoy part five of this five-part series as Viktor highlights how important family is to him and their contribution to his on-court success. 

Becoming a parent has been the biggest change that could have happened for me. As an individual athlete, you’re thinking about yourself a lot and whether certain things will affect you. 

As you can see from my results, they’ve only got better since Vega was born. For my mindset as well, it’s no longer badminton on my mind all the time. There’s something else now that’s way more important and that has put things into perspective. 

Vega doesn’t really care if I’ve won or lost. She’s smiling no matter what and she expects me to be smiling too when I come home and play with her. 

Of course, I have my own dad as my manager and it’s always about balance: not wanting them to be overprotective but also not wanting them to go out and try to get all the deals. With my father, I know he only wants the best for me. 

Being a dad now, I can definitely relate more and appreciate all the work he and my mum have done for my sister and I. Messages asking if we’ve arrived somewhere safely and I used to think ‘it’s just a flight, we do this all the time’. Now, even when Vega is running around just two metres away from me, I’m worrying if she’s going to knock her head! 

Vega was in the stands a few weeks ago and I felt really grateful that she had the chance to get a glimpse into why ‘Dad’ is running around the court and what impact it has on other people. I definitely feel like I’m now playing not just for myself, but for my whole family. 

Be sure to check out any of the other entries from Viktor within the five-part series.