Paris 2024 Olympics. Alexis Lebrun: “I had a great time”, “playing the whole match with the chills is not easy”

Pour son entrée en lice, Alexis Lebrun a déroulé face à l’Argentin Santiago. MAXPPP – Olivier CORSAN

The eldest of the Lebrun brothers also made a spectacular start to the Olympic singles tournament on Sunday, July 28. And he is eager to move on to the next round this Monday (10 p.m.) against the Croatian Pucar.

“The atmosphere”? I don't know what to say. It was so good, just magnificent. (After playing mixed doubles on Saturday) I expected it, in quotes. But it's true that I thought about it a lot, because with this defeat (in mixed doubles), I took a real slap in the face.

Tonight, I managed to really enjoy myself to the maximum, to open up a little more to the public, to enjoy myself a little more, to smile. Just, in fact, to be myself and enjoy it. That's how I play best. So it's not because there are 100 times more people, and 100 times more noise than usual, that it should change.

Here it's something else, it's above everything we've ever done before

It's true that we feel that here it's something else, that It's above anything we've ever done before. Playing the whole game with the chills is not easy, but I think it allows you to play even better.

(On the match against the Argentinian Lorenzo Santiago), I knew that I was supposed to be really stronger on the serve-return, but that in the big rallies, he was very strong. So, I had really based my tactic on that, to be more serious on the first two balls, and then, to do what I could, because it was going to be a little harder to fight. I managed that well. It was a great match, and I had a great time.

I'm going to have to get out of his clutches to develop my game

Mers proche are everywhere in the room, quite a few people came. My friends were on the right, my girlfriend opposite, my family on the other side, so there were a bit of them everywhere, it was cool. Often, I watch at the beginning when I come in, and then, when the match starts, I don't watch anymore, I'm really in my own bubble.

(Croatian Tomislav Pucar in the round of 16?) He's a good player, I've already played him once this year. It's true that he has a rather particular game, quite difficult to play. He's very strong on the first serves, very aggressive, so I'm going to have to get out of his clutches to be able to develop my game. I think I'm going to have a great time, because with an opponent like that, you can have good matches.

(Still at 10pm) It suits me very well. It's the evening, people are excited, they've been able to enjoy the whole day. It's cool.”