The Dane spent more than 100 consecutive weeks as world number one, a mark surpassed in total duration only by Lee Chong Wei, and won Olympic gold in Tokyo and Paris, as well as a bronze in Rio in 2016. He also won world championship titles in 2017 and 2022.

“Today is not an easy day for me. Due to my recurrent back issues, I am no longer able to compete and train at the highest level,” he said in a statement on social media.

“Accepting this situation has been incredibly difficult. But I have now reached a point where my body won’t allow me to continue.

“Since the day I picked up a racket, I knew my dream was to become the best in the world,” Axelsen added.

“I have given everything to this sport. It has never been just a career to me. It has been my life and I have left no stone unturned.”