Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue are one of the favourites for the mixed doubles title in Madrid next month in April.
With the European Championships to be held just less than two months’ time, the European athletes will have sufficient tournament experience by April-end. While the Super 1000 All England is just around the corner, German Open, Swiss Open, and Korean leg are also on the cards. Not forgetting to European Circuit with tournaments in Slovakia, Portugal, Poland, France and the Netherlands, granting opportunities closer to home.
The expected return of home superstar Carolina Marin to claim a record-extending sixth women’s singles crown headlines this edition. However, the hosts of the next Olympics, France have a point to prove.
The country has emerged as a badminton powerhouse in the last decade. The young and talented French crop have won eight gold medals during the last three editions of the European Junior Championships. Unfortunately, the nation has no gold to show at the senior level yet. Pi Hongyan and Emilie Lefel/ Anne Tran notably won silver in 2005 and 2018 respectively.
Perhaps their biggest chance lay in the mixed doubles.
Top five in the world
Having won the Super 300 Swiss Open last year, the mixed doubles pair of Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue is the best bet. At number twelve, they are currently the second-highest ranked Europeans. Their coach Baptiste Careme had earlier boldly claimed.
-If they are not in the top five in the world, I’m doing a bad job.
Since then, the young duo lost in the quarterfinals of the last edition and later played in Tokyo.
Accordingly, they will have a tough draw in April as well.
In particular, the English pair Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith will perhaps be their biggest rivals. Gicquel/ Delrue have a dismal 4-0 record against them.
The duo will have to bring their best if they are to win the first-ever title for France.
- As one of the best European pairs, we want to be the champions in April, Gicquel asserted.
The goals are set
Gicquel/ Delrue are decisive on their tasks.
- For 2022, we want to go back into the Top 10 and stay there, he continued.
However, the youngsters have no illusions as to their present level against the top Asians.
- Of course, we are looking to the top five, but there is still some gap between us and the best pairs. I hope to close this gap as soon as possible, the 23-year-old is optimistic.
The Paris dream
The dedication and determination will surely help Gicquel/ Delrue achieve their biggest goal: a podium finish at the home Olympics in 2024.
- We know that it will be a really difficult path to a medal in Paris. We have to work a lot to get one, but that’s the goal, he concluded.