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Leverdez at an all time high (Photo: Badminton Photo)
Brice Leverdez: It’s not my final destination
Date: 7/16/2018 5:54 PM
Published by : Alan Raftery

Entertainer, fighter and an early round giant killer.These are the perhaps the first things you think of when talking about Brice Leverdez. But things are changing, and with the Frenchman now entering the world top 20 Men’s Singles players, with no signs of stopping there, Europe may just have another superstar at the highest level.

The 32-year-old from the suburbs of Paris, is a well-known player on the world circuit. Despite there being only a small handful of opponents that he has failed to beat at least once, the big tournament runs have been few and far between. Although, his recent form gives us an indicator that this may all change for the man we all love to watch on court. Particularly seen in the bronze medal won at the European Championships this year.

This is all the more impressive when learning that Leverdez picked up a racket for the first time relatively late for a professional player. As he explains

-I started badminton when I was 12. I used to practice judo, but after a big injury, I stopped it. My sister was playing badminton, but finally she had to stop it for her study, so I took her place. That’s how I start to play this sport.

Two decades later and heis getting to the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Open. And beating a player who previously seemed immune to Leverdez’s style, reigning Olympic Champion Chen Long of China. When asking what has gone right for his game recently? Leverdez responds

-I felt really good in these 2 tournaments. I like playing in Asia. The conditions are good, the public is amazing, and my last practicing was really efficient on the court. I had to play hard and must be really focused on my opponent. They played all really good, so I must fight on the court each point. The key is my strategy on the court and my speed. I also had a good self-control.

Brice Leverdez takes out Chen Long!

I would like to thank them

It seems that now the top Men’sSingles players in the world, in addition to dreading a first round draw against Leverdez, they will now be seeing him as a dangerous prospect later in the week.

When discussing next goals following this already momentous step, Leverdez says

-My next target is going to reach the top 15 before December. Of course, I'm happy and proud to reach the top 19, but it’s not my final destination. I still must continue to train hard to reach a better ranking. I’m looking to play the next Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

Lastly, Leverdez is regarded to have maybe the best psychological strength of all Badminton players,which has been demonstrated consistently around the world. Whether it’s a crowd who is against him and loudly supporting his opponent, or whether it’s the pressure of your home nation behind you at a big team event, he always is able to use this to give him more energy and fight in his game. Commenting on this Leverdez states

-I just stay focused on my match. I enjoy also the atmosphere in the stadium! Of course, when I hear the supporters it helps me a lot. I would like to thank them to be behind me.

Brice Leverdez: Top 20 is a step forward for me


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