They are used to talking about victory celebrations, preparing a small sweet to offer to the public, maintaining the spontaneity that characterizes them and makes them so appreciated. Seven months after Alexis Lebrun‘s leap onto the table, newly champion of France against his brother Félix, everyone was wondering what gesture the winner of the WTT Champions quarter-finals in Montpellier would make on Saturday evening. At the end of a titanic match, it was finally the cadet who, for the first time and after four defeats, had the chance to celebrate in front of his brother.
And he wasn’t sober. As soon as the match point was over, the world number 7 dropped his racket and asked the entire stadium to calm down, repeating the famous gesture invented by Cristiano Ronaldo: first rejoice, then ask for silence to launch a gigantic round of applause. He then shouted his joy, that of breaking that glass ceiling that was so talked about, while the audience offered him a vibrant Marseillaise.
“I gave him back the celebration of the French Championship as revenge, I warned him,” he laughed after the victory. In practice I had also said that I would get on the table but my father had advised me against it and so I didn’t do it. » However, the desire was real, just as the relief is immense. Close to victory in the last match, Félix has now reached the finish line. “I had already had a good understanding in the previous matches but he was too strong, I had no regrets,” he puts things into perspective. But I’ve made more progress and it shows. »
An anthology point in front of the whole family
The match was sumptuous. One point sums it up perfectly: while Alexis was leading 6-3 in the third round, the two Montpellier players engaged in a titanic duel of 23 rallies, stringing together incredible shots. A fight ultimately won by Félix, who also won this set at the end of the suspense.
“I slipped twice, I fell, it didn’t make much sense, it even made me laugh during the point,” Alexis smiled. Afterwards we looked at each other to laugh about it because we usually only see him in training. » “It was madness, he brought everything back and acted a bit like a puppet, jumping in all directions,” replied Félix. There weren’t many great points in the match, but this one was extraordinary. »
In the stands the family of the two table tennis players enjoyed the show. Sitting side by side, Stéphane, Dominique and Margaux, father, mother and sister of the brothers, never ceased to marvel at the exploits of their children, which continue to amaze them. The day before, Dominique had announced that he would support “the one who loses”, before reversing his encouragement if the face of the match changed. In the end she was fascinated by the show and never stopped applauding, letting her children try their hand at this fratricidal and fraternal duel.
“I lacked some energy”
The 6,000 spectators at the Arena Sud de France also enjoyed themselves, at least as much as Félix. Focused on his game, the Montpellier player played his part perfectly to secure a semi-final this Sunday against world number 2 Lin Shidong. “I had a great game, I had made some adjustments,” he said. It’s like this in every game, especially when you lose several times in a row, you don’t have to accept it. That’s what I did, I made some strong choices and it worked. »
“The streak didn’t have much meaning in the end, I beat him mostly among the youngsters, it only happened twice when I was a little less strong on paper (editor’s note: Félix was better than classified), Alexis reacted. It was an important match, I lacked a bit of energy to reach that level. To beat these types of players I have to be at my best and I wasn’t. »
Despite the joy of one and the slight sadness of the other, this meeting should leave no trace in their close relationship. Smiling at the end of the game, after having tears in his eyes around the table, the senior assured that he wasn’t “too disappointed.” “We had a great time, that’s why we’re pinging,” he noted. Of course I prefer to win but we experienced crazy emotions, I’m super proud to have participated in this party. » And he promised: he will be this Sunday, at 1.15 pm, among the fans to cheer for his brother.
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