Alex Lanier Commits To Focus Despite Pressure At World Championships: 'The Maximum...'

Last Updated:July 15, 2025, 11:40 IST

French badminton star Alex Lanier, ranked eighth, aims for success at the world championships in Paris. Despite pressure, he vows to stay focused after a stellar year.

France's rising star, Alex Lainer. (AFP)

Rising French badminton star Alex Lanier has acknowledged the pressure he will face at next month’s World Championships in front of his home fans, but he vowed on Tuesday to “stay in my zone" and avoid distractions.

At just 20 years old, Lanier has soared to number eight in the world rankings after a stellar year, which included winning the Japan Open and being crowned European champion.

He aims for further success when the world championships commence in Paris on August 25, at the venue that hosted the Olympic badminton tournament last year.

Lanier admits he is “not an underdog any more" and will compete with a target on his back in Paris.

“There is a bit of pressure, but I am also taking it as a moment that I can share with family and friends," Lanier said in Tokyo on Tuesday, after starting his Japan Open title defence with a 21-12, 21-14 win against Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao.

“I want to get the maximum I can and play the best I can, to share this moment with everyone," he said.

Although Lanier did not participate in the 2024 Olympics, he made a significant impact on the world stage shortly thereafter by winning the Japan Open.

He triumphed over China’s then world number one Shi Yuqi and Malaysia’s Paris Games bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia en route to securing his first major senior title.

His momentum continued when he clinched the European Championships in April, defeating fellow Frenchman Toma Junior Popov in the final.

Lanier remarked that he had improved “mentally and physically, but also technically" as he eyes more success in Tokyo this week.

“I think I’m not an underdog any more, I’m ready to play well and to get this title," Lanier asserted. “There is more pressure than last year, to be honest, but I think I’m quite good at controlling this kind of thing."

A Golden Generation for France:

French badminton is currently thriving, with Lanier, Toma Junior Popov, and Christo Popov all ranked within the men’s singles top 20.

While Lanier believes talk of a golden generation is premature, he acknowledges that French badminton is “improving in all areas".

“Our staff is more professional, there is better structure, and the young players are more professional earlier than what we were before," Lanier noted. “So I feel that yes, we are performing, but also we are showing the young generation in France."

French fans warmly embraced Olympic badminton at the Paris Games, with large, enthusiastic crowds at the La Chapelle Arena.

Lanier is confident “it’s going to be huge again" at the world championships and looks forward to experiencing the support firsthand.

“I think the fans enjoyed last year, and I think they are expecting the same thing, and that’s why they’re coming," he said.

“They know that it’s going to be a fantastic event."

With AFP Inputs

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Location :

Tokyo, Japan

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News sports Alex Lanier Commits To Focus Despite Pressure At World Championships: 'The Maximum...'