French Open
Sunday evening, Martin, Lise and Méline, aged 11 and 13, left the Glaz Arena with stars in their eyes from their day spent contemplating the elite of world badminton. “The level was incredible, it was really impressive,” exclaimed Martin, himself a player at Quintin in Côtes-d’Armor. “We were a little disappointed not to see Gicquel and Delrue, but we expected it when we came to see the finals, that didn’t stop us from loving the women’s doubles,” declared the two teenagers, also club players at Tregueux.
As for Marin, 10 years old, he came from Quimper with his parents to see “big smashes” throughout the day. As the president of the French Badminton Federation Yohan Penel clarified, the nationality of the athletes mattered little to the public who came to fill the stands of the hall, located near Rennes. The spectators applauded all the extended points, it was difficult for the players to know who was in favor of the latter as the Danish pair Kim Astrup – Anders Skaarup Rasmussen explained after their title: “All week, we didn’t know who the public supported, they celebrated all the rallies, it was really a pleasure to play here.”
The Chinese and Indonesian delegations took charge and set the mood during the men’s final between Shi Feng Li and the winner Jonathan Christie. And no matter which of the two sang a song, the Bretillian audience had fun following along. “I didn’t think I could win here, it was impressive to be pushed by so many people in a country other than your own, it boosts confidence,” assured Christie. For the first time organized elsewhere than in Paris due to the Rugby World Cup, the French Open found an audience who was ready to welcome them again.
2023-10-30 11:01:07
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