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.