Mads Conrad-Petersen has decided to end his career as of this day. This is due to a good opportunity in the private sector, which means that the men's doubles player will not continue until October’s Thomas Cup in Aarhus, Denmark. 

The Thomas Cup on home soil, 3-11 October, was supposed to be the last time to see one of Denmark’s absolute best men’s doubles players on the international stage. But already from today, Conrad-Petersen has chosen to end his international career.

- As the Thomas Cup was moved, I have gotten a chance to begin working as a real estate agent in a fantastic team, which I think, I fit perfectly into. It was a chance that was now or never, so I decided to take it. Now I hope, that I can be used for something else than playing badminton, and it will be exciting to get out into the real world, Conrad-Petersen says. 

The decision to stop his international career is based on big considerations that goes all the way back to January, but because of the Coronavirus, Conrad-Petersen felt it was the chance to try something else. 

- Coronavirus has played its part in the way that I do not know how the situation will look in October after Thomas Cup. So, for me, it was about taking the chance, and now I am looking forward to beginning officially the first of June. I look a little different in a shirt and blazer than badminton clothes. The work is very close to where I live, so it is different than 130 travel days a year, Conrad-Petersen says. 

Badminton Denmark had expected Conrad-Petersen to be available for the Thomas Cup, but with the above considered there is understanding for the decision. 

- We are sad that Mads has chosen to stop already. He would potentially have been an important part on our Thomas Cup team. But of course, to be an important part you have to be 100 per cent committed to badminton, and if Mads cannot see himself in it, it is better to stop now. It gives us more time towards October to find men’s doubles combinations, that can help us in the fight for medals at the Thomas Cup, says Badminton Denmark’s Elite and Sports Chief Jens Meibom. 

- Mads has been an important part of our training environment for the last 10 years and it is clear that we will miss him in the hall. But we wish him and his family good luck in the new chapter of their life, he continues. 

Conrad-Petersen will continue to play badminton on a national level.