Viktor Axelsen shakes hand with Lee Zii Jia after winning the Perodua Malaysia Masters 2019 semifinals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on January 18, 2019. -NSTP file pic
Viktor Axelsen shakes hand with Lee Zii Jia after winning the Perodua Malaysia Masters 2019 semifinals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on January 18, 2019. -NSTP file pic

World No 1 Viktor Axelsen has come out in support of Lee Zii Jia's shock decision to resign from the national badminton team.

And the Olympic champion knows what it is like to leave the national setup, as Axelsen, himself, had quit the Danish national team last year before moving to Dubai.

"If a player, in this case, Zii Jia, feels that it is best for him to follow another path where he is more independent as player then that is what he should do in my opinion," said Axelsen on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

"After all, it is his career and it is his life after all.

"Having played against Zii Jia numerous times, I am sure that no matter what, he will still continue to do everything he can to produce good results.

"I am also sure that he will also continue to do his best to make Malaysians and everyone who supports him proud

"I think only Zii Jia himself knows what is best for him right now and I am looking forward to having many more exciting encounters against him on court in the future.

"Of course this is none of my business but I am just sharing my thoughts," added Axelsen.

That seems like sound advice from Axelsen whose rivalry with All England champion Zii Jia is blossoming into one that is similar between Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan.

While BAM have yet to officially respond to world No 7 Zii Jia's resignation, badminton fans have urged the Kedahan to join Axelsen at his training base in Dubai.

Incidentally, Singaporean Loh Kean Yew trained for one-month with the Danish superstar in Dubai in September before upsetting the formbook to win the World Championships crown.

It won't be a surprise if Zii Jia ends up in Axelsen's camp to train with the world No 1 and Olympic champion.