On Sunday morning, the second PCR test of Viktor Axelsen confirmed that the Danish men’s singles star has tested positive for Covid-19.

Unfortunately, the result means that Axelsen will not be able to walk on court on finals day at the European Championships against Anders Antonsen and he will have to be quarantined in his hotel room.

Axelsen is feeling well but he is of course extremely upset by the situation, which not only means that he will miss out on the European Championship final, but he also has to isolate in his hotel room in Kyiv for the upcoming 13 days.

- There is no doubt that there is nothing I would rather do than play the final today against Anders [Antonsen]. I am a little more clarified [with the situation] than I was yesterday when the first answer came in. I am of course sorry that it means that there will be no final, and then of course I am also really sorry that it will take another two weeks before I can come home and see my family again, says Viktor Axelsen and adds:

- But that's how it is. These are the conditions we have to play under in these times, where isolation and quarantine is a risk that we know is present when we take part. I still feel no symptoms of illness and am otherwise in good spirits. So now I just hope that I can get through without any inconvenience, says Axelsen.

In line with the protocols, Viktor Axelsen was isolated in his hotel room after his first positive Covid-19 test result came in on Saturday night, shortly after he had won his European Championships semifinal over Fin Kalle Koljonen.

 
Director of Elite Sport at Badminton Denmark is very sorry on behalf of Axelsen:

- Of course, I'm really sorry on Viktor's behalf. This could not happen at a more unfortunate time than just before the European Championships final. Besides the sporting consequence, it is at the same time close to the journey home and that he could come home to the family and see Vega [daughter] and Natalia [girlfriend] again after almost two weeks in Ukraine. Having said that, it is after all good that we are catching Viktor's positive case now, so that he does not - unknowingly - help to spread further infection, says Jens Meibom.

As a consequence of the positive case of infection, Anders Antonsen will be crowned 2021 European Champion.