Alexis and Félix Lebrun against the “Real Madrid” of the ping: in Montpellier, the two brothers start their season with the ANMTT against Düsseldorf

What could be better than being at home, in a brand new venue, facing one of the biggest clubs in Europe, to return to competition? Probably not much.

While it is difficult to find an adequate adjective to describe the year achieved in 2024, Alexis and Félix Lebrun a new season begins that could push them into something immensely (even bigger) big. The appointments standing in their way are so prestigious.

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Alexis and Félix Lebrun in the Champions League: at what time and on which channel to watch their quarter-final this Friday with ANMTT?

“Every year is different, but obviously it’s going to be hard to do better, smiles Félix Lebrun. That’s still the goal: we always want to do better and we train for that.”

Three days off during the holidays

Before the individual events which will be the Grand Smashes – the first of which will be at the end of the month in Singapore – and the World Championships in Qatar in May, the two blonde heads will resume this Friday with the Nîmes-Montpellier Alliance.

All this after having only had three short days without touching the racket during the holidays, doing a series of courses here and there since then. “We can't wait to resume, it's been a long time since we had a match anywayexplains Félix Lebrun. We haven't played a match of this level in a long time.”

“Real Madrid” in Coubertin

The opponent of the Nîmo-Montpellierans who presents himself this Friday (8 p.m.) at the Palais des sports Pierre-de-Coubertin, Borussia Düsseldorf, is indeed not just anyone (see a little further down).

“For me it's Real Madriddescribes Alexis Lebrun. It's the first time we're playing in the Champions League, they're the historic club, so we hope we'll turn things around and go for them.”

L’ANMTT outsider ?

And it will be the first time that the Alliance presents itself without being the big favorite since the Lebruns wore the jersey. “I expect my players to be up to the occasion, asks ANMTT coach, Vincent Avril. This match will be 50-50, whereas against all the other teams we played with Félix and Alexis, we were clear favorites.”

“It’s a real challenge, and as a result, it’s super exciting. Especially since it’s a two-legged match, so it’s also special. We know that nothing will be decided after this first leg.” , he continues.

Just to get a good start to a second part of the season with the Alliance, with which the two Olympic medalists plan to play more this year. “In addition, we are lucky to have a team that wins a lot of matches when we are not there, underlines Félix Lebrun. So we want to go for the Final 4 of the Champions League and the same in the championship.”