HORSENS (Denmark), April 24 -- Not all rivalries are defined by tension.

For professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, his relationship with former world No. 1 from Denmark, Viktor Axelsen, reveals a different side of elite sport - one shaped by respect and quiet support beyond the court.

As Axelsen bowed out from the international stage recently, Zii Jia paid tribute not just to a dominant opponent but to a figure who played a meaningful role during one of the toughest periods of his career.

During his back injury struggles last year, Zii Jia revealed that the two-time Olympic champion went out of his way to help, even connecting him with medical support.

"Last year, I had a back injury. He gave me a lot of advice and even int...