KUALA LUMPUR: World No 1 Viktor Axelsen will not be coached by Denmark's head coach, Kenneth Jonassen, or his father-in-law, Henrik "PK" Rohde at the World Championships in Tokyo next week.
Instead, the former champion will be helped by Jonassen's assistant, Thomas Stavngaard.
Will this make a difference to Axelsen's rivals in Tokyo, including Lee Zii Jia?
According to a Danish media report, Axelsen, who is seeking a second world title, will have a different setup this time.
The Dane, who clinched the Tokyo Olympic gold under Jonassen last year, was quoted as saying: "When Kenneth contacted me, I just needed to consider it, because he has always coached me for the World Championships.
"But I agree with Kenneth that it makes good sense to be coached by Thomas for this world meet, considering the time that has passed."
It is learnt that Jonassen, who has been pivotal in Axelsen's career since his younger days, is not taking the lead as much in coaching, after undergoing hip surgery last year.
While Jonassen is still expected to be in Tokyo next week, only Stavngaard will be allowed to coach during matches,
Timesport asked BAM singles coaching director, Wong Choong Hann, who is also a friend of Jonassen, on how much of an influence a coach has on a player of Axelsen's calibre.
"This is new to me. Both Thomas and Kenneth have been working with the Danish setup for a very long time.
"Whether this new arrangement would affect Axelsen at the World Championships, I don't know.
"What I do know is that Axelsen is already at a stage in his career where he can manage things himself. He has proven this with his consistency, especially in the last few years.
"He knows what he wants clearly and is very steady."
Since relocating to Dubai last year, Axelsen has won four Open titles this season – the All England, Indonesia Masters, Indonesia Open and Malaysia Open – while training under his father-in-law, Rohde.
Having also won the European crown this year, Axelsen will be the man to beat in Tokyo. He will open his campaign against Malaysia's Liew Daren.
The other notable names in the top half of the draw include Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Jonatan Christie, world No 4 Chou Tien Chen, former world No 2 Shi Yuqi of China and Malaysia's Commonwealth Games hero Ng Tze Yong.
World No 5 Zii Jia, who is in the bottom half of the draw, will play France's Brice Leverdez in the first round.
