[French Revolution] Free Creators, the Lebrun Brothers. The Secrets of Lebrun Table Tennis Without Common Sense (Part 1)

Lebrun Brothers Interview
Alexis LEBRUN [FRANCE]
World No. 14, Paris Olympic medalist, European champion
Felix LEBRUN [FRANCE]
World No. 4, Paris Olympic medalist

It is clear that France is the country now trying to change the world of table tennis. At the 2024 World Championships (Team Event) in Busan, they advanced to the Final for the first time in 27 years.
And at the Paris Olympics, they won two medals in the Men's Singles and Men's Team Event. Their unconventional training methods and way of thinking are truly a “French Revolution.” Through interviews with the Lebrun brothers and coach Nathanael Molin, we explored the secret behind France’s strength.
Photo Manabu Nakagawa / Remy Gros ITTF

The 21-year-old older brother Alexis and 18-year-old younger brother Felix are trying to change world table tennis. The two who electrified Paris spoke about that hot summer and their own table tennis.

Alexis Lebrun
Born August 27, 2003; from Montpellier, France. Won silver in the 2024 World Championships Team Event and bronze in the Paris Olympics Men's Team Event, won the men's singles and doubles at the European Championships, won men's doubles at WTT Finals Fukuoka, world ranking No. 12 (as of June 10, 2026), member of Montpellier Table Tennis Club, France

Felix Lebrun
Born September 12, 2006; from Montpellier, France. Won men's singles at the 2023 European Games, won silver in the 2024 World Championships Team Event, won bronze in the Paris Olympics Men's Singles and Team Event, won WTT Champions Montpellier, won men's doubles at WTT Finals Fukuoka, world ranking No. 4 (as of June 10, 2026), member of Montpellier Table Tennis Club, France

We were aiming for a medal, but in reality, just before the Olympics, there was also a part of us that didn’t really think we could actually win one | Alexis

　France stood in Japan’s way in the Men's Team Event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the center of it were the Lebrun brothers, Alexis and Felix.

　When we interviewed them in November 2022, Alexis was world ranking No. 28 and Felix was No. 80. But since 2023, Felix has made rapid strides, climbed into the single digits in the world rankings, and won the bronze medal in Singles at the Paris Olympics. Alexis also won the European Championships after the Olympics, and the brothers’ momentum shows no sign of slowing down.
　Their unique way of thinking came through in the interview. The key words are “creativity” and “enjoying table tennis.”

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●—At the 2024 World Championships in Busan in February, the France team advanced to the Final in the Men's Team Event for the first time in 27 years, and did you feel pressure at the Paris Olympics because expectations were so high?

Felix Lebrun (hereafter FL)　Of course there was pressure, but we trained together at camp, prepared while enjoying ourselves with our teammates, and as “Team France” we were able to feel confident in our own game.

　We wanted to enjoy table tennis in Paris. I think everyone feels pressure and gets nervous at the start of a tournament, but it was difficult to stay calm because it’s a huge event that comes only once every four years. We tried to do our best.

●—Since it was being held at home, winning a medal must have been a major goal. Was that a realistic target?

Alexis Lebrun (hereafter AL)　Of course, we knew it would be difficult. But we prepared as much as possible in order to win medals in the Men's Team Event and Felix’s Singles as well. We were aiming for a medal, but in reality, just before the Olympics, there was also a part of us that didn’t really think we could actually win one. That’s exactly why it feels so unbelievable that we were able to achieve medal success. We’re truly satisfied with our performance this time. Looking back now, the joy in Paris was an unbelievable, emotional moment.

●—If you trace it back, did advancing to the Final for the first time in 27 years at the World Championships in Busan greatly boost your confidence heading into the Olympics?

FL　Yes. It felt like we gained a lot of confidence and team spirit. France won silver for the first time in 27 years, and the women's team also won bronze. The 2024 France team was full of great dynamism and energy. That momentum continued from the World Championships to the Olympics, and then we got results again at the European Championships afterward (Alexis's victory), too.

AL　I think the medal in Busan gave us team confidence. The Olympics have the Team Event and Doubles, so it’s a different competition from the World Championships, and we put a lot of effort into preparing for Doubles as well. Also, through the World Championships, we realized that we had a chance against any team. In Busan, even against powerhouses like China, we felt we had at least a small chance, and that gave us a big confidence boost before the Olympics.