France’s Alexis LEBRUN will arrive at the European Championships in Ljubljana carrying some of the finest memories of his career – and two titles to defend.
Two years ago in Linz, LEBRUN produced a memorable campaign to become European Men’s Singles champion, while also joining forces with his younger brother Félix to claim the Men’s Doubles crown. Now, at 23, the Frenchman returns to the continental stage as a more experienced player and with an even stronger position among Europe’s elite.
“For me, it is one of those amazing moments. I think it is my best memory in table tennis. I played at a crazy good level, so I have very good feelings when I remember that tournament. What I remember most is how I felt at the table. It was very special to experience that,” said LEBRUN.
The situation in Ljubljana will be different. In Linz, LEBRUN entered the event without carrying the weight of being one of the leading contenders. Two years later, after adding more major titles and medals to his collection, he knows expectations have changed.
“For sure, it is a little bit different. I think I have improved a lot as well. Before Linz, I was really an outsider, and now I would say I am not the favourite. I think Truls and Félix are the favourites, but I am just behind them. It is different, but it also gives me more confidence because I know I managed to do it when I was a big outsider. Now that I have improved, I know I have a chance to do it again.”
LEBRUN has continued to strengthen his position at the top of European table tennis since his triumph in Austria. He won Team gold with France at the 2025 European Championships in Zadar and claimed back-to-back Europe Top 16 titles in 2025 and 2026.
His record extends well beyond the continental stage. LEBRUN was part of the French team that won bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, helped France to World Championships Team silver in Busan in 2024 and Team bronze in London in 2026, while also winning Men’s Doubles bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Doha.
With Ljubljana one of his major targets at the start of the season, LEBRUN has placed particular emphasis on his preparation.
“I played a lot of tournaments to prepare for Ljubljana. We also went to China with our full staff to prepare for this event. For me, it is the most important event at the beginning of the season, so I will try to prepare as much as I can and be really ready for the tournament.”
LEBRUN expects the battle for medals in Ljubljana to be particularly demanding, with the strength of European table tennis continuing to grow.
“I think this year the level is very, very high. European table tennis has improved a lot in recent years, so in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles it will be very tough, but I hope I will have good results.”
Alongside his Singles title defence, LEBRUN will also have another European crown to protect with Félix. The brothers arrive in Ljubljana as the reigning European Men’s Doubles champions and the world’s top-ranked pair.
“We are the reigning champions and also number one in the world, so of course we want to defend this title. It is never easy to win titles when you are the favourite because there are many very good players in Europe. We have prepared a lot in doubles for this event, so we will try to enjoy every match and keep going for the title.”
Having entered Linz as an outsider and left with two gold medals, LEBRUN arrives in Ljubljana in a very different position – but with the memory of that remarkable week still providing confidence as he prepares to defend his European crowns.
