"Are we rivals? No, we pull each other's punches; we both try to progress as much as possible, to pull each other up, to give each other advice to go as far as possible. I'm happy to have passed him (in the world rankings), but for the moment, I have never beaten him in an official match," the youngest Lebrun shared on French radio RMC, dismissing any idea of bitter rivalry with his sibling.
Felix comes from a family deeply rooted in table tennis. His brother, Alexis, who is three years older, is a world top-30 mainstay and decorated national and European champion. Both brothers were introduced to table tennis at a young age, which is no surprise considering their family's table tennis legacy.
Their father, Stéphane, achieved a career-high seventh-place national ranking, while their uncle, Christophe Legoût, represented France at three Olympic Games (1996, 2000, and 2008).
Felix began his journey in the sport with multiple youth titles claiming French titles at both cadet and junior levels.
Felix Lebrun: Rising to European glory and top-10 ranking
Felix continued his success at senior competitions. In 2022, he won the French doubles championship and, together with his brother Alexis, reached the men's doubles semi-finals at the European Championships, earning him his first continental bronze medal.
The momentum carried into 2023 when Felix finished as singles runner-up to his brother at the French Championships. He later won his first individual title at the European Games in Krakow, defeating Portugal's Marcos Freitas in the final.
Following his individual victory, Felix went on to win another bronze medal at the European Championships in the team event competing alongside his brother Alexis and other French players. The brothers continued their winning streak at the WTT Star Contender de Lanzhou, where they claimed their first international doubles title as a pair.
Felix Lebrun: Success that belies his age
The French star reached new heights at the WTT Contender Antalya, winning his first title on the WTT circuit by defeating the German Dimitrij Ovtcharov in a thrilling final. The victory propelled him into the world top 10, the third youngest player to attain this ranking.
The French prodigy, who will still only be 17 when the Paris 2024 rolls around, has set his sights on lofty dreams: winning a medal at home Olympics. France last won a table tennis medal in Sydney 2000 courtesy of the doubles bronze by Jean-Philippe Gatien and Patrick Chila.
And why not double up with a victory alongside his brother?
"Doing the Games in your country is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's in the back of my mind, but I'm thinking first of all about progressing and climbing the world rankings to arrive in Paris with the most confidence," he said.
"We don't talk about it too much with my brother; it's far away, and there are a lot of competitions before. Competing together at the Games, if possible towards the end of the tournament, would be exceptional. It's a dream. We couldn’t do better."