After two titles in 2016 and 2021, the French table tennis player had to settle for bronze in Paris, in conditions – apart from the “top crowd” – which he greatly disliked.
Fabien, what do you think of this defeat in the semi-finals, which meant a bronze medal?
Fabien Lamirault: We don’t care about the bronze, I wasn’t there for that. I was there to win, so it’s obviously a disappointment. As much as the bronze medal in men’s doubles was beautiful, this one isn’t. On the other hand, it’s deserved because I didn’t play to get to the final. I’ve never managed to find the fuel, to let go and play well in this room. I’ve always struggled on this table and I’m logically punished.
Also readParalympic Games: Bronze medal for Fabien Lamirault, beaten in the semi-finals
How do you explain these difficulties?
How do I explain that? Because we knew that the conditions were going to be very special and unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to train much on them. We are lucky to be able to organize the Games but we didn’t know how to take advantage of them until the end. That’s how I can explain it in a fairly soft way. Those who have known me for a few years have never seen me make so many mistakes on the backhand. I couldn’t find the right timing and my balls were getting away. As a result, my confidence took a hit and I started to ask myself a lot of questions. I felt that I wasn’t ready to play in these conditions, and that’s a shame for a home Games.
What are these conditions you are talking about?
In tennis, there are different surfaces and this leads to a somewhat indifferent game. For us, it’s always a room with a table, but each table is different with different bounces. As soon as I started playing on it, I noticed that the bounce was different. The problem is that there are twenty of us in the French team and we only had one training table. This is not normal. We are France, we are at home, we should have had at least six tables to prepare properly since January. Obviously, it’s less impactful for the standing players but for us, in wheelchairs, who play directly at the table, it changes a lot of things. The crowd was great, but I wasn’t at the level I usually am.
“With time, I will try to appreciate these two bronze medals”
Fabien Lamirault
So, you didn’t have any fun at all in these Games…
Not much. I would say that I had the pleasure of winning the first doubles match 11-9 in the tiebreaker. The rest was more of an ordeal.
Did your opponent also frustrate you with those retro-looking candles?
No, not at all. It’s the game. I’ve done it too. At one point, the crowd booed but they shouldn’t have. It’s part of our game. That’s also what disabled sports are about. That shot is like a good serve or a topspin. I have no problem with that and I wish him good luck in the final.
Also readParalympic Games: in pictures, discover all of France’s medals
After two gold medals, is this a turning point for you?
That’s a tough question… Now I’m falling into line and I’ll have to accept it or not, I don’t know. With time, I’ll try to appreciate these two bronze medals, but it won’t be tomorrow, I tell you. For now, I’m sticking to the unfinished job, and that has a bitter taste.
Does the competitor in you want to come back very quickly?
I’m not planning on anything at all. I don’t want anything at all. I just want to finish these Games, to take it all in and then we’ll see what the future holds for me.
