Félix Lebrun‘s Dramatic Table Tennis Saga: Racket Rage and Redemption
Well, well, what have we here? Young Félix Lebrun, just 18, has managed to turn a tense table tennis match into an episode worthy of reality television. You know the type—lots of drama, a dash of fury, and of course, a surprising twist that leaves you questioning life choices. Seriously, I’ve seen less drama at my auntie’s wedding, and that involved a runaway cake!
This Sunday, our young French prodigy was supposed to shine alongside his brother, Alexis, in the European doubles final. Instead, he nearly achieved disqualification for his ‘blood attack’—a lovely name for what we’re hoping was just a display of heated passion and not something straight out of a horror film. And speaking of horror, the horror on his face after losing to the German player, Benedikt Duda, was palpable. He threw his racket in rage, a move that could have led to an early exit from the game—and not the exit you take when you win, mind you.
“I immediately knew that I had a chance of being eliminated from the doubles final, it has already happened, so I was very scared,” said Félix, apparently choosing his words carefully—like a magician hiding a rabbit up his sleeve. Except in this case, the rabbit was probably his hopes for a double medal!
And listen to this; Félix says he was “embarrassed” and “ashamed.” Which is not unlike how I felt the last time I looked at my high school yearbook. But bless him, he doesn’t want that angry racket-throwing image to linger like an unwanted smell in the room. He’s determined to redeem himself—and by redeem, I don’t mean an overpriced gift card. No, he wants to show us that he can act like the role model he aims to be, without launching his equipment across the court like a makeshift Frisbee.
Félix went further on X (formerly known as Twitter—I know, it’s a bit like calling your pet fish something more exotic to make it feel grander): “My action was not acceptable, and I regret it terribly… This gesture has nothing to do in a table tennis room,” he stated, making it sound like he’s auditioning for the role of ‘Mister Apologetic’.
Well, he certainly has his sights set on redemption! The plans for Sunday include a face-off against the Swedish duo Kallberg and Moregard. It’s essentially the pickle after your bad dinner—let’s hope it’s a feast rather than a food fight! This is Félix’s chance to show that he can turn those frustrations into finesse, and not just a racket-based rage quit.
In summary, clearly, it’s no easy feat being a young athlete with all eyes on you. I mean, look at me! I can barely sip my tea without spilling a bit on my shirt! But what I do know is, if you ask any competitive sports person, their worst enemy is not the opponent—it’s that moment of utter frustration when things go awry. So let’s hope Félix uses this experience to come back stronger, because if there’s one thing we love in sports, it’s a good comeback story. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always acting. Just ask my uncle—he thinks every table tennis match is a scripted drama!
His blood attack could have earned him a disqualification for the European doubles final with his brother Alexis, which takes place this Sunday. In the end, Félix Lebrun did well. The 18-year-old Frenchman was just excluded from the singles tournament and will therefore not score points after his defeat in the quarter-final of the European Championships. Beaten in Linz in Austria by the German Benedikt Duda (4-3), he threw his racket in rage.
“I immediately knew that I had a chance of being eliminated from the doubles final, it has already happened, so I was very scared,” said Félix Lebrun on the L’Équipe channel . Emotionally, it gave out at the end. I did something that I obviously regret, I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I won’t do it again. At the time, there was embarrassment, shame, it’s not something I like to do, not the image I want to give. »
💬 Félix Lebrun recounts the red card and confirms that he will be able to play the final with his brother: “I won’t do it again. It’s not something I like to do, not the image I want to give”#lequipeTTable pic.twitter.com/r2fNoxNXUy
— the L’Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) October 19, 2024
The bronze medalist from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also reacted to this episode on his X account (ex-Twitter): “I wanted to send you a few words following this quarter-final against Benedikt Duda. I am aware that my action was not acceptable and I regret it terribly. This gesture has nothing to do in a table tennis room and corresponds neither to the example that I wish to set, nor to the respect that I owe to all ping enthusiasts. I would like to deeply apologize. »
I am aware that my action was not acceptable and I regret it terribly.
This gesture has nothing to do in a table tennis room and corresponds neither to the example that I wish to set, nor to the respect that I owe to all ping enthusiasts.
— Félix Lebrun (@felixlebrun34) October 19, 2024
This Sunday, Félix Lebrun will play the doubles final alongside his big brother Alexis. The two Frenchmen will face the Swedish pair composed of Anton Kallberg and Truls Moregard at 4 p.m. The opportunity to redeem yourself.
