Paris 2024 Olympics. Félix Lebrun: “The pressure is mounting”, “I could have also sunk”, “it could help me for the future”

Félix Lebrun a dominé le Suédois Anton Kallberg 4-2, lundi en 16e de finale. MAXPPP – Olivier CORSAN

The youngest of the Lebrun brothers had to dig deep to beat the Swede Kallberg, who was dominated 4-2 on Monday July 29 in the round of 16. A difficulty that Félix overcame, holding back the reaction.

“At the end of the match, I was happy but relieved, of course. It was getting harder and harder to finish. I started very well, but he wasn't necessarily playing very well at the start either. Then, I played a very average fourth set and I started off really well, but he changed his serve, a bit of tactics, etc. I was on the verge of winning, but I couldn't finish. Of course, the pressure mounted afterwards. I tried to use the audience a little, to encourage myself a little louder, to not think too much about what had happened.

We say to ourselves, “I don't want to lose like that at the Olympic Games.” I tried to give my best and I'm very happy to come away with the victory.

In the last set, I tried to show my emotions a little more, to encourage myself a lot so that the crowd would push me.

I would have preferred to win 4-0, but it's true that having difficult matches can also help you manage stressful moments. There, I think that at 3 sets to 1, I didn't necessarily manage it super well. But, that's what we said with “Nat” (Nathanaël Molin, his coach) just after the match, my reaction in the sixth was really good. Given the scenario, I could have also sunk, and he regained confidence. But no, I went straight back to the front and I'm very happy about that. It can help me in the next matches.

(If the crowd helped?) Clearly. In the last set, I tried to show my emotions a little more, to encourage myself a lot so that the crowd would push me. Already, the whole match, they were pushing me, but now, even more. I don't have the right to give up, to be pessimistic with such a crowd.”