The two Frenchmen, second pair in the world, ascended the world throne for the first time thanks to their victory against the Japanese pair Togami-Shinozuka.
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A year 2024 concluded in style. Reigning European champions and bronze medalists at the Paris Olympics, Alexis and Félix Lebrun won the WTT Finals in doubles, the equivalent of the Masters in tennis, on Saturday November 23. Badly off against the Japanese pair and world 6th Shunsuke Togami-Hiroto Shinozuka, they finally won in five sets (12-14, 14-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4). Thanks to this victory in a tournament which brought together the eight best pairs in the world, the Lebrun brothers became world number 1 in doubles, a first for a French pair.
After their sumo celebration, the Dragon Ball celebration, to honor the Japanese and perhaps to be forgiven for beating the local pair, in Fukuoka? The Lebrun brothers let their joy explode after their victory in a very close match, at least during the first four sets. Trailing 6-3 in the first set, the Montpellier team first saved three set points, but was unable to do anything in the fourth (12-14).
They then took time to find solutions and were even down 8-3 in the second set, before reversing the trend and equalizing at one set all (14-12). The third was almost just a formality (11-6), but the Japanese reacted quickly in the next one (7-11), pushing the French tandem into a decisive fifth round. A fifth set of great quality, with enormous defenses from both pairs, but for a large French victory (11-4).
🇫🇷 THE KINGS OF THE WORLD!! 😍
The Lebrun brothers at the top of the world ping! Historic performance from the French duo who became world number 1 in doubles after their victory at the WTT Finals, the biggest tournament of the year.
🏓 IT’S SIMPLY MONSTROUS! pic.twitter.com/TCraVmZVS3
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) November 23, 2024
World number 2 at the start of the tournament, the Lebrun brothers climbed to the world throne, a first for a French pair. Before them, no European had even reached the final of the WTT Finals. Disappointed with their defeat in the first round in singles, they finally finished the year 2024 well, which will also be marked by their team bronze medal, and the same metal for Félix in singles at the Paris Olympics, their second place at the championships of world team championship in February, Félix’s victory at the WTT Champions in Montpellier, Alexis’ European title in singles and finally their continental coronation in doubles. A well-deserved vacation for the Lebrun brothers.
