You can find the full draw, as well as many other details and photos, via this link
This weekend, the Jeu de Paume de Bordeaux club was buzzing with the French Doubles Championship, gathering the elite of French players. Sponsored by CFCP, this tournament offered spectacular moments, unexpected twists, and top-level performances. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the tournament brilliantly promoted real tennis, showcasing the very best in doubles play. And believe us, the pace was fast and furious!
A stunning debut for the young talents
From day one, the tone was set. The young duo Xavier Thouzeau & Elliott Watkins, full of ambition, made a remarkable entrance by outclassing the experienced pair R-P. Duboscq & Pierre Blanchot 6/2 6/3. Their confident and fluid play showed that the next generation of Bordeaux players is ready to take over! But, of course, not everything could be that easy... In their match against the 3rd seeds Lea Van Der Zwalmen & Vincent Letonturier, Xavier and Elliott shined by taking the first set 6/1, completely unsettling our president and her partner. However, Lea and Vincent, seasoned veterans (sorry, Lea and Vincent!), managed to turn the tables, finally winning 6/0 6/2. A perfect lesson in game management and patience!
Suspense and surprises in the semi-finals
Day two was marked by incredibly intense semi-finals, with matches that left everyone breathless. In the first semi-final, Benjamin Jacquin & Charly Hurstel (2nd seeds, Paris) edged out Lea Van Der Zwalmen & Vincent Letonturier, but it was far from easy! At 4/3 in the final set, a seemingly endless 15-minute game turned the match. Lea and Vincent couldn’t overcome this hurdle, but they certainly walked away with the Fighting Spirit Award.
The real surprise of the tournament came from the Bordeaux duo Jean-Baptiste Rossi & Nicolas Ovial, who pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating the 1st seeds Nicolas Victoir & Charles Blanchot. In an epic showdown, Rossi & Ovial won 6/5 6/4, making the Bordeaux crowd go wild. Their consistency, aggression, and perfect teamwork left the favorites with no answers. No need to worry, Nicolas and Jean-Baptiste were simply unstoppable!
Spectacular finals: Bordeaux on top!
The finals day confirmed the immense talent on display.
In the plate final, Nicolas Planty & Arnaud Tribaudeau dominated the young duo Xavier Thouzeau & Elliott Watkins 6/0 6/3. Despite the harsh scoreline, Xavier and Elliott showed great promise for the future, gaining valuable experience for their upcoming tournaments, especially the Raquette de Bronze next weekend. They'll be back stronger!
The 3rd place match gave the spectators a real thriller. Lea Van Der Zwalmen & Vincent Letonturier, after losing the first set 4/6, found their form and came back to defeat Nicolas Victoir & Charles Blanchot. In a tense final set, tied at 5/5, Lea and Vincent managed to clinch the victory 6/5 in the fourth!
But the highlight of the tournament was undoubtedly the grand final. And what a final it was! The Bordeaux pair Jean-Baptiste Rossi & Nicolas Ovial dazzled the crowd by defeating the defending champions Benjamin Jacquin & Charly Hurstel with an emphatic 6/2 6/2 6/3 victory. Their dominance was total. The defending champions found themselves powerless against a team that executed with complete control.
The chemistry between Jean-Baptiste, a pelote champion, and Nicolas, a tennis and padel champion, was electric. Together, they set the pace and never gave their opponents a chance. With their victories over the 1st and 2nd seeds, these two have now firmly established themselves as the leading doubles team in France. They are the new 2024 French Doubles Champions, and they fully intend to defend their title next year!
A tournament marked by success
This 2nd edition of the French Doubles Championship will be remembered as a fantastic event. A huge thank you to all the participants who made the trip and provided the Bordeaux public with such a spectacle! A massive thank you also to CFCP and all the organizers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event a success. This weekend was a true celebration of sport, camaraderie, and fair play—a true celebration of the game!
We already look forward to seeing you at the next competitions and, who knows, perhaps witnessing more incredible feats from our Bordeaux champions!
See you soon on the courts (and this time, don’t miss the rendezvous!)
The Bordeaux Club
