Danish Mads Conrad-Petersen has decided to stop his international career after Thomas Cup in Aarhus, Denmark in August. 

Thomas Cup on home soil will be the last time badminton fans can see one of Denmark’s best double players in action on international level. 

- It has required a lot of consideration, but in the end, I am mentally done after so many years on top level. It requires full commitment to be a professional badminton player, which I am no longer willing to sacrifice. I am so happy and satisfied with all I have achieved and really happy about the life as badminton player. But now I just want to focus on something new, Conrad-Petersen says.

It is not the first time the Dane has decided to stop. He also did it in November 2018, where he chose to take a break from the National Training. The reason was that he wanted to priorities the family and retrieve his motivation. 

- In 2018 it was about getting away and finding myself. But since I started again a year ago, I could feel that I am not mentally there anymore. I have had an exciting year with Mathias (Boe), and I do not regret it. I was ready to give everything towards the Olympic Games in August, if we were to qualify. 

But that is not how it went. The Olympics was moved a few days ago, but the postponement of the Olympics and coronavirus’s influence on the World Tour as well as Championships have not had the biggest effect on the men’s doubles player. Actually, it has opened up for a dream closure. 

- Since January I have been sure about ending my career in August and it has been the plan to announce that after All England. It is sad that the Olympics had been postponed, but I am clarified with that. On the other hand, Thomas Cup can be a dream closure for me with family, friends and everybody, who has been a part of my career as spectators. It is going to be very special and I am looking forward to it. It is all my life and identity, which ends in Ceres Arena, he says. 

Mads Conrad-Petersen has been a part of the elite program since 2009, only with a short pause from November 2018 to March 2019. He will continue to play badminton on national level after August, where he hopes to pass on some of his badminton knowledge. 

Since Conrad-Petersen came back to the National Training in March 2019, his double partner has been Mathias Boe. They have won Canada Open, Russia Open and Spanish International as well as they reached a ranking as number 18 in the world. 

Before he partnered with Mathias Boe, Conrad-Petersen played with Mads Pieler Kolding. Through their partnership they won European Championships in 2016, Runner-up at European Championships in 2018, 2017 and 2014.