The French Table Tennis Championships have long been a battleground for the nation's finest players, producing some of the sport's greatest legends. Since the competition's inception, names like Jacques Secrétin, Jean-Philippe Gatien, and Michel Haguenauer have etched their place in history, dominating their respective eras.
The Era of Jacques Secrétin and Jean-Philippe Gatien
No discussion of French table tennis history is complete without mentioning Jacques Secrétin, the most decorated player in the competition’s history. Winning an astounding 17 national titles between 1966 and 1986, he set a record that remains untouched. His dominance spanned two decades, making him an icon of French and European table tennis.
Jean-Philippe Gatien followed in Secrétin’s footsteps, securing 13 national titles from 1988 to 2002. A world-class player, Gatien became a global name after winning silver at the 1992 Olympics and the 1993 World Championship title. His success marked the last era of a single-player dominance before the competition became more unpredictable.
The Transition: Simon Gauzy's Reign (2020-2021)
After Gatien, the French Championships saw a period of varied winners, with players like Patrick Chila, Christophe Legoût, and Emmanuel Lebesson all claiming titles. However, in the early 2020s, Simon Gauzy emerged as a force to be reckoned with.
Gauzy won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021, cementing his status as France’s top player at the time. As the leading French representative in international competitions, his technical style and strategic gameplay brought stability to French table tennis.
And then a new force arrived—the Lebrun brothers.
The Lebrun Era Begins (2022 - Present)
In 2022, Alexis Lebrun stunned the French table tennis scene by winning his first national title at just 18 years old. Over the next two years, he would defend his crown, securing victories in 2023 and 2024. His aggressive playing style, rapid improvement, and composure under pressure made him the new face of the French Championships.
However, in 2025, his younger brother Felix Lebrun just repeated what Alexis achieved at 18-years-old.
After two consecutive final defeats to his older brother, Felix Lebrun finally broke through, winning his first French national title in a thrilling 4:3 victory. The younger of the Lebrun brothers proved his resilience, saving a match point in the sixth set before claiming the deciding game.
What’s Next?
With both Alexis and Felix Lebrun now at the top of French table tennis, the national championships have become a stage for their growing rivalry. Their dominance suggests that the era of the Lebrun brothers is far from over.
Yet, as history has shown, every era eventually ends. Will they continue their reign, or will a new challenger emerge to break their dynasty?
French National Champions – A Legacy of Greatness
Most Titles in History:
🥇Jacques Secrétin – 17 Titles (1966-1986)
🥈Jean-Philippe Gatien – 13 Titles (1988-2002)
🥉Michel Haguenauer – 8 Titles (1933-1950)
Recent Winners:
2020 – Simon Gauzy
2021 – Simon Gauzy
2022 – Alexis Lebrun
2023 – Alexis Lebrun
2024 – Alexis Lebrun
2025 – Felix Lebrun
As we move forward, French table tennis is in the hands of a new generation. Whether the Lebrun brothers will dominate like Secrétin and Gatien or face new competition remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: French table tennis has entered an exciting new chapter.
Photo source: FFTT