French Badminton Stars Gicquel and Delrue Smash Thier Way to Historic indonesia open Title

In a stunning upset that’s sending shockwaves through the badminton world, France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have captured the Indonesia Open title, marking the first time a French pair has ever won a Super 1000 tournament. think of it as France winning Wimbledon for the first time – a monumental achievement!

𝐈𝐋𝐒 𝐋’𝐎𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓 😱

Thom Gicquel and @dedeyyyyy (n ° 10) become the first French in history to win a super 1000 😍

On Indonesian lands, thay produced a fantastic match against Dechapol Puavaranukroh / Supeissra Paewsampran (n ° 6, 🇹🇭) 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥

1/2 pic.twitter.com/nwiNjyuoaZ

– FFBaD (@FFBaD) June 8, 2025

Dominant Performance Seals the Deal

Gicquel and Delrue, facing the formidable Thai duo of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai (ranked No.6 in the world), displayed a level of composure and skill that was simply unmatched. From the opening serve, the French pair asserted their dominance, winning in straight sets, 21-16, 21-18.

Delrue’s exceptional defense proved to be a major factor, forcing the Thai team into long, grueling rallies. Gicquel, on the other hand, capitalized on every prospect, unleashing a barrage of sharp, decisive attacks. Their teamwork was reminiscent of a well-oiled machine, each player complementing the other’s strengths.

The second set saw the Thais attempt a comeback, but Gicquel and Delrue remained mentally tough, weathering the storm and ultimately securing the victory when their opponents let a shot drop, thinking it would go long. The festivity that followed was pure, unadulterated joy.

“A Dream Come True”

Overcome with emotion, the french champions shared their thoughts after the match:

It’s a dream, Gicquel exclaimed, still reeling from the magnitude of their accomplishment.

I am very proud. We wrote a page of our sport, added Delrue,her voice filled with pride.

This victory is especially sweet considering their recent struggles in finals. Having only won 2 out of 10 finals this season, this win in Jakarta validates their hard work and mental fortitude, honed with the help of their mental coach, Anaëlle.

🏸 badminton: the french pair of mixed double gicquel-delrue enters history by winning a first grand slam

They won in Indonesia in the face of world numbers
➡️ https://t.co/flyfzBDO2s pic.twitter.com/dlfNfD9mcz

– Le Parisien (@le_parisien) June 8, 2025

Eyes on Paris: World Championships Loom

Beyond the prestige of the Indonesia Open title, this victory propels Gicquel and Delrue to No. 7 in the world rankings, making them the highest-ranked European mixed doubles team. This is a important boost as they prepare for the World Championships, which will be held in paris from August 25-31.

We remain outsiders. There are still six pairs in front of us, but this victory gives us a lot of confidence, Gicquel acknowledged, while tempering expectations about their chances at the World Championships.

It will also depend on the draw, Delrue added, emphasizing that they believe they now have what it takes to go deep in the tournament.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: Badminton’s Growing Popularity

The buzz surrounding Gicquel and Delrue’s performance is already palpable, particularly on social media.Their success is resonating in France,raising the profile of a sport that is still striving for mainstream recognition.This is similar to how Jeremy Lin’s success in the NBA sparked a surge of interest in basketball among Asian Americans.

We want to make people dream and make them want to come to Paris this summer, Gicquel stated, eager to capitalize on their newfound momentum.

road to Paris: Upcoming Tournaments

Before the World Championships, Gicquel and Delrue are scheduled to compete in two major tournaments: the Japan Open (July 15-20) and the China Open (July 22-27). However, their schedule may be adjusted based on their physical and mental well-being.

For now, it’s time for a well-deserved break to savor this historic victory. Gicquel and Delrue have proven that they are more than just talented underdogs; they are now champions, inspiring a new generation of badminton players in France and beyond. This win could be a watershed moment for badminton, similar to how the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 transformed hockey in the United States. What will they do next? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the badminton world will be watching.