By Antoine Sauvetre
Published on 30 Jan 20 at 9:02
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In the absence of French number 1 Brice Leverdez, Alençonnais Lucas Corvée, double champion of France, logically acts as favorite for the title during the French badminton championships, from January 30 to February 2, in Mulhouse.
But the Ornais will have to face an emerging and very promising youth, and in particular Christo Popov, junior world vice-champion, whom he is expected to cross in the quarter-finals.
“The ambition to win the title”
L’Orne Hebdo: As double champion of France and finalist last year, can we say that you are the most serious contender for the title?
Lucas Corvée: Yes I am one of the most serious favorites for the title. Having said that, the competition is extremely tough this year and I obviously wouldn’t be the only one going with the ambition to win the title.
OH: You could face Christo Popov, No. 1 seed early in the competition. Is this the most complicated draw you could imagine?
If all goes well, I will indeed face Christo in the quarterfinals. But before that I have two games to win that I have to take seriously.
Then, I would prepare as best as possible for this match which will look like a revenge for me since I lost against him at the end of 2019. It is certain that it is a tough quarter-final, but for him as well as for me. .
OH: What does the absence of Brice Leverdez represent? Another opportunity to win a third national title?
The absence of Brice is mainly damaging for badminton fans in France. He is the main ambassador of our sport and that clearly takes away a direct contender for the title, with games and confrontations that people certainly would have wanted to see.
His absence may have unbalanced part of the picture, but not mine! But even without him, the whole competition remains very competitive.
And there you go… the prints are published! Who are your favorites?
Posted by French Badminton Championships 2020 on Thursday 23 January 2020
“I am fit and confident”
OH: In what state of form do you show up at these French championships?
I just came back from a competition in Thailand where I lost a very close match, in which I had a lot of opportunities to turn the result in my favor. It’s a shame and I’ll do everything to use it to be better this week in Mulhouse.
My preparation for the last three weeks has been very good, I am physically fit and confident in my game. I still have to transfer this work to the field during the next rounds. I am sure good results will follow.
OH: Is the title of champion of France a priority objective in this Olympic year?
The French championships are always a special event during the year. It is a prestigious title, important in a palmares, and it is perhaps the most visible competition for the French spectators, that it is by the media coverage and by the presence in the room.
For many, this is the only opportunity they have this year to follow us live. It’s a privilege to be able to play in a French championship final, to evolve in front of the people who follow me and motivate me to do what I do on a daily basis! I will do everything to ensure that the opportunity to replay a title match arises again, and starting this year.
OH: You left Insep this summer with the hope of making faster progress in Issy-les-Moulineaux, are you satisfied with this choice?
I am very happy to have joined my club. I felt the need, for some time, to change my sporting environment and my living environment. There has been a long period of transit and adaptation to a new rhythm but everything is gradually falling into place.
I train a lot and well, I am very well surrounded (coaches, leaders, training partners), I feel a lot of support and expectation, which I like, and I really have fun doing what I am doing. do. I wouldn’t be where I am without my club and my city and I would continue, as best I can, to carry their image.
