Alex Lanier, French badminton champion and native of Dives-sur-Mer, will try to defend his title at home, at the Palais des Sports in Caen, from February 6 to 8.
These French championships played right next to home, what do they mean to you?
“I think it’s good that it’s so close to home, to be able to have family, friends coming, feel all the people behind me. It’s also a moment of sharing, it’s great to play in these conditions, with these people I love, and give them back a little bit of everything they’ve given me from the start. It’s important for me to perform in front of them.”
You play all year round on the world circuit. How important is a French championship?
“I don’t feel that it’s a tournament in which I have to perform more than usual. The French championships are more and more difficult, when we see the level in men’s singles, it only increases. I’m here to have a lot of fun. There is also a sporting advantage, it’s confronting the top world level while remaining in France. It’s important for me and everyone to see this evolution of French bad’, we improve respectively in our careers with these matches. In any case, the level which will be displayed in Caen will perhaps be the best in the history of the French championships.”
Is playing this tournament at home a form of enchanted interlude?
“During these French championships, in the evening, I will be at home, in my bed, quiet, in Dives-sur-Mer. It will ultimately be a weekend atmosphere. That’s also what I’m looking for, I don’t want to put pressure on myself, to have to perform. I also want to have a good time. Yes I play my matches, but in the evening we’ll just go eat at the family home, and finally talk about everything and nothing. If we compare to World Tour tournaments which are sometimes over-stressful, and stimulating, where I don’t really have this family environment, it’s certain that there, in terms of mental load, it should be fine!”
Do you want to become a source of inspiration for the young public in Caen?
“Not necessarily I think. I still often played for myself at first, but also for the people who follow me, send me messages. I think there are a lot of times when we are a source of inspiration in spite of ourselves. It doesn’t bother me, but I’m not looking to be either. people I love. And now is the right time to do it.”
The French championships had already taken place in Caen in 2010, at the Zénith. Do you remember it?
“Badminton at that age was fun. As a kid I was crazy, having energy, I remember me running everywhere, and only wanting to play badminton. Around 5 years old I have memories of these French championships, of me running in all directions, it’s a lot of pleasure and fun. To be honest, I think it was the right thing, we see badminton as a game, a desire to let off steam, and that’s the best way to use this sport.”
Do you know the Palais des Sports?
“Not at all, I’ve seen pictures, it looks like a beautiful cocoon, it’s going to be nice. It’s already hosted events that looked great. I trust the French public to create the atmosphere. The Palais allows people to come and make noise, so that we can feel that warmth when we play. I can’t wait to see what the venue can do.”
The federation is investing a lot in you and the data says that you are six months ahead of Viktor Axelsen, former world number one. What does that mean?
“It’s a bit of satisfaction, yes. The statistics are important, now players can break through later, earlier… The statistics are more important for the staff I think. These passing points, the people to compare yourself to… Personally, I don’t have the impression that it affects me more than that. The staff uses it to do a better job, to be more alert. It remains a little pride, it always does the ego good, I take it with a smile.”
What are your goals for 2026?
“I have two tournaments as goals: the English Open and the world championships. Last year I made a lot of semi-finals in my different tournaments. I would like that to stop, and to go for titles, more titles. I want to enter this top 5 in the world (it is currently 8eEditor’s note), be solid there, or even more.”
