In a gripping finale that will be remembered for its high stakes and emotional intensity, Félix Lebrun triumphed over his brother Alexis at the French Table Tennis Championships on Sunday, March 23, 2025. This victory marked Félix's first national title in singles, claiming a hard-fought 4-3 win at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan in Levallois.
Félix, 18, faced Alexis, 21, the reigning champion who had bested him in the previous two championship finals. The brothers' families and friends packed the venue, eager to witness a matchup that had become a highlight of the tournament. With both players ranked among the top ten in the world, anticipation was high for this showdown.
The match unfolded dramatically, with Félix initially asserting his dominance by winning the first two sets at 11-9 each. However, Alexis, demonstrating the resilience that earned him his triple championship titles, clawed his way back into the match, winning the next three sets – including a breathtaking fourth set that ended 16-14.
As the match progressed, the tension in the arena soared. With the score at two sets all, the younger Lebrun found himself in a challenging position, having to fight off a match point in the sixth set. After an exhilarating exchange, Félix managed to recover, eventually winning that critical set 12-10. This allowed him to tie the match at three sets each, setting the stage for a nail-biting final set.
In the decisive set, Félix roared to an early lead, demonstrating not only skill but also an indomitable spirit. He went on to win the final set 11-7, clinching the championship after 55 minutes of high-octane table tennis. Félix collapsed in joy after his final point, a stark contrast to the emotional strain he faced the previous year.
Post-match, an ecstatic Félix reflected on his historic win: "It’s incredible, I had an extraordinary match. You have to play extraordinary matches to beat Alexis. Winning my first title like this was a dream." In a moment of humility, he also praised his older brother, saying, "Bravo to Alexis, who has had an amazing year."
For his part, Alexis, although visibly disappointed, showed sportsmanship in acknowledging his brother's victory. "He put in a lot of intensity from the start and I was a bit low on energy. I had to raise my level and I think I paid for it because emotionally, I wasn't precise enough when I was leading 3-2, 9-6. It’s a shame but afterwards, he played a great match, so congratulations to him," he said, underscoring the mutual respect they share despite their fierce rivalry on the table.
Both brothers had demonstrated their prowess just a day earlier by winning the doubles title together, marking a remarkable two-day performance at the championships. They secured their doubles title against Esteban Dorr and Florian Bourrassaud, winning 3-1, reinforcing their status as one of the most exciting pairs in table tennis.
The 2025 French Table Tennis Championships will be remembered not just for Félix’s breakthrough title but also for the sheer resilience of both brothers. The rivalry that has captured the hearts of fans is likely far from over. With their talents and competitive spirit, both Félix and Alexis are poised to continue thrilling audiences in future tournaments.
This year's championship finale marked not only a significant milestone in Félix's career but also highlighted the strong bond and competitive spirit between the two Lebrun brothers. As Félix celebrates this momentous victory, the table tennis world eagerly anticipates their next encounters, where the stakes will surely be even higher.
