Source:REUTERS/VCG
[Saba Sports News] On New Year’s Day, Danish badminton star Viktor Axelsen updated his social media, sharing a warm scene of himself playing badminton with his daughter, showcasing a gentle side of him outside the court through family interaction. Axelsen captioned, ‘My New Year’s wish is to teach my daughter how to play badminton,’ while humorously admitting that he can only let her win intentionally when playing, otherwise she would cry for a toy.
On the court, Axelsen is known for his aggressive play and intense desire to win, occasionally sparking controversy with his emotional expressions, leaving the public with a cold and tough impression of him. In this update, however, his affectionate tone in planning father-daughter badminton time, along with the delicate detail about ‘letting her win to avoid her crying for a toy,’ completely breaks the public’s preconceived notions about him.
I believe this contrast not only significantly reduces the distance between the public and top athletes but also uses warmth to mitigate some of the negative perceptions arising from on-court controversies, allowing people from different backgrounds to feel his tenderness as a father, thus greatly enhancing his likability.