Félix and Alexis Lebrun, the two star brothers of French table Tennis, begin their quest for European gold this Thursday in Linz. In singles and doubles, the young prodigies aim for the heights. Will they manage to write a new page in the history of their sport?
On this sunny Thursday in October, all eyes of table tennis enthusiasts are focused on Linz, Austria. It is in this city that the long-awaited European Championships open, the scene of exploits to come. And among the favorites, it is impossible to miss the Lebrun brothers, Félix and Alexis, true prodigies of the discipline. At 18 and 16 years old respectively, the two Frenchies are preparing to enter the arena, driven by a single goal: gold, in singles and doubles.
A shock duo to aim for the summits
Despite their young age, the Lebrun brothers are no longer unknown in the world of ping. Félix, the eldest, is currently in 7th place in the worldan exceptional ranking for an athlete who is still a junior. His little brother Alexis is not to be outdone, already occupying the top 30 at only 16 years old. Together, they form a formidable duo, ready to do battle with the continental elite.
Their first challenge: the men’s doubles, where they are seeded. A status to be assumed as soon as they enter the fray this Thursday at 12:15 p.m. against the Danish pair Groth/Andersen. A warm-up lap before serious things? Possible. But the Lebruns will leave nothing to chance, they who dream of climbing to the highest step of the podium.
Felix as a conqueror
In simple, Felix will be particularly awaited. Seeded number 1, he will be keen to confirm his status and his immense potential. His journey will begin at the end of the afternoon against the Turkish Yigenler, 377th player in the world. On paper, a formality. But the young tricolor knows that the road to gold is strewn with pitfalls. In particular, he could cross paths with the formidable Swede Falck, recent winner of the WTT Champions European Summer Series. A hell of a customer!
I am ready, focused, determined. The objective is clear: gold, nothing else. I know the work it will take to achieve this. But I have confidence in my abilities and I will give everything.
Félix Lebrun on his arrival in Linz
Alexis can create a surprise
His younger brother Alexis will also have a card to play. Seeded number 7, he will have a lot to do from the start against the Hungarian veteran Majoros, 251st in the ATP but far from being a foil. If successful, the young Lebrun could find his compatriot Jules Rolland, opposed to the Finn Olah, in the next round. Enough to offer spectators a beautiful 100% tricolor fratricidal battle!
Surprise winner of the Portuguese Open last July, Alexis Lebrun is full of confidence. His vision, his speed and his punch make him a particularly formidable opponent. Even if he seems a step below his brother Félix, he has the weapons to create a sensation. And why not also aim for the last four, or even better?
French table tennis in turmoil
More generally, these European Championships promise to be exciting for the French delegation. In addition to the Lebrun brothers, several other French nationals have great ambitions:
- Simon Gauzy, 26 years old and seeded number 9
- Can Akkuzu, European doubles champion in 2021
- Emmanuel Lebesson, team gold medalist at Europe 2019
- Yuan Jia Nan, ambitious in women’s singles
Talented players, supported by an extraordinary dynamic in recent months. The fanfare return of this French team to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 (two medals including men’s silver) has aroused great popular enthusiasm. The rooms are filling up, memberships are jumping, the next generation is showing off its racket. A virtuous circle of which the Lebruns are both the locomotives and the products.
So, gold medal for the terrible brothers of French ping? Response in around ten days on the banks of the Danube. One thing is certain: Félix and Alexis Lebrun will leave no one indifferent and will wear the tricolor colors high. Their matches, without a doubt, promise to be epic, intense, spectacular. Like a summary of modern table tennis as they sublimate it, between speed, power and creativity. Looking forward to the first exchanges!
