The World Table Tennis Championships have concluded, with China successfully defending their title. In the semifinals, the Chinese men’s team defeated France 3-1. During the match, Felix Lebrun lost 1-3 to Wang Chuqin. After the game, Lebrun was visibly emotional and shed tears.
Currently ranked world No. 4, Lebrun is a formidable player. However, when facing Wang Chuqin, he often feels an overwhelming sense of despair. In eight career meetings, Lebrun has lost all of them. In a recent interview in France, he opened up about his rivalry with Wang.
Asked about his 0-8 record, Lebrun didn’t see it as shameful. “In my eyes, Wang Chuqin is not just my own personal nemesis. I’ve played him more often, and beating him is extremely tough. Moreover, his playing style makes me very uncomfortable—his serve has incredible spin, and the quality of his first return is very high.”
Lebrun added, “Without a doubt, he is the current world No. 1!”
Knowing Wang’s strength, Lebrun never puts too much pressure on himself. “The 0-8 record isn’t a burden or a problem for me. Every match is a new start. Nervous? No, playing him is no different. I know that to beat him, I have to play at my absolute best. I’ll keep adjusting to reach my optimal state, focus on my own game, and fight for every point.”
To prepare for Wang, Lebrun has watched dozens of hours of video analysis, nearly memorizing his tactics. Yet, he still can’t predict Wang’s next move in a match. “His on-the-spot adaptability is too strong; he never lets the match fall into my rhythm.”