In the high-speed, high-stakes world of professional badminton, mental resilience often separates champions from contenders. For Alex Lanier, the 19-year-old sensation from Caen, Normandy, that pressure is about to intensify as he prepares to lead the French charge at the 2025 BWF Badminton World Championships, held for the first time ever in France.
Lanier, hailed as the future of French badminton, is not shying away from the enormous expectations that come with competing on home soil. Instead, he is embracing the challenge with a maturity well beyond his years — and a determination to turn the roar of the Parisian crowd into a driving force.
From Normandy to the World Stage
Born in 2005, Alex Lanier picked up a badminton racket at age 6, inspired by his parents’ recreational passion for the sport. By the time he was 12, it was clear to local coaches that Lanier was not just another promising junior — he was a prodigy.
He rapidly ascended through France’s national youth system, collecting titles at U17 and U19 levels across Europe. In 2022, at just 17, he made headlines by winning his first senior title at the Orléans Masters, defeating several higher-ranked opponents in the process.
“I always loved the individuality of badminton — it’s you, your mind, your body, and the shuttle. There’s nowhere to hide. That’s what I thrive on,” Lanier told L’Équipe earlier this year.
Coming of Age in 2025
Now a full-time senior international player, Lanier has had a breakthrough season in 2025. He has reached the quarterfinals or better in six international tournaments this year, including a stunning run to the semifinals at the Spain Masters, where he defeated two top-15 players.
His current world ranking sits at 18, making him the highest-ranked French men’s singles player in over a decade. His game — a blend of explosive footwork, sharp net play, and fearless smashes — has earned praise from both French and international coaches.
“Alex is one of the most complete young players I’ve seen,” said Denmark’s former Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. “He plays without fear but with structure. That’s rare.”
Eyes on the Worlds — At Home
The 2025 BWF Badminton World Championships, set to be held in Paris at the Accor Arena, marks a historic moment for French badminton. Never before has the nation hosted this prestigious tournament. And never before has France had a men’s singles player with the talent and trajectory of Lanier.
As the local poster boy for the event, Lanier finds himself not only carrying his own dreams but also the hopes of a burgeoning French badminton fanbase. Despite the obvious pressure, he remains unfazed.
“People call it pressure. I call it opportunity,” Lanier said during a press conference last month. “I’ve trained my whole life for moments like this.”
Mental Fortitude and Growth
Much of Lanier’s preparation for the Worlds has been mental. Over the past year, he has worked closely with sports psychologist Claire Delorme, who helped him develop tools to manage crowd expectations and performance anxiety.
“Alex is incredibly self-aware for someone his age. He understands the difference between pressure and privilege,” Delorme said. “Our work is about harnessing nerves into fuel, not fear.”
Lanier has also incorporated meditation, visualization, and controlled breathing into his daily routine, practices he credits with keeping him grounded during tense matches.
Training Under French System with Global Support
Lanier trains at France’s National Badminton Training Center in INSEP, Paris, under the guidance of head coach Baptiste Carême and a support team of strength coaches, analysts, and nutritionists.
To broaden his game, he also traveled to Asia earlier this year to train briefly at academies in Malaysia and Indonesia, soaking in different playing philosophies and techniques. According to Carême, those experiences have made Lanier more tactically diverse and adaptable.
“He’s become a more complete player — better shot variation, smarter in long rallies, and more patient under pressure,” Carême noted.
France’s Golden Generation
Lanier is not alone in leading French badminton’s renaissance. Alongside women’s singles hope Qi Xuefei and rising men’s doubles duo Lucas Corvée and Ronan Labar, Lanier is part of what many are calling France’s golden generation.
The French Badminton Federation (FFBaD) has invested heavily in talent identification, coaching, and international exposure since 2019. Hosting the World Championships is seen as both a reward and a catalyst — a moment to spotlight the sport and inspire a new wave of players.
“We want French kids to see Lanier on that court and say, ‘That could be me in 10 years,’” said FFBaD President Yohan Penel.
International Recognition
Lanier’s performances have not gone unnoticed by the global badminton community. He was recently featured in BWF’s “Future Stars” documentary series and received a wildcard entry into the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals, where he is set to face legends like Kento Momota, Shi Yuqi, and Lakshya Sen.
“When I watch Alex, I see glimpses of [Lin] Dan’s hunger and [Ginting]’s speed,” said renowned commentator Gillian Clark during the German Open. “France should be very proud.”
Preparing for the Accor Arena
To prepare for the unique conditions of the Accor Arena — a 12,000-seat venue with a lower ceiling and drafty airflow — Lanier has been simulating match conditions in similar-sized halls and practicing under bright lighting.
“It’s important to get used to the echo, the lights, the energy. You can’t let the atmosphere overwhelm your focus,” Lanier explained.
He has also been sparring with taller players and shuttlers with powerful backcourt games to prepare for likely early-round opponents.
What Would a Win Mean
A podium finish at the World Championships would not only be historic for Lanier but also redefine the narrative of European badminton, long dominated by Denmark and occasionally England.
More importantly, it could serve as a launchpad for Lanier’s longer-term goal: an Olympic medal at Paris 2028. He is already being touted as France’s best hope to bring home a badminton medal in the Games.
“The Worlds are big. The Olympics are bigger. But they’re both steps on the same staircase,” Lanier said.
Staying Grounded
Despite the hype, Lanier maintains a refreshingly humble perspective. He still lives in a modest apartment near INSEP, prefers home-cooked meals to restaurant food, and is often seen riding his bicycle to training.
When not on court, he’s an avid chess player and fan of Formula 1 — particularly fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon, whose calm demeanor under pressure he admires.
“Chess and badminton are more similar than people think. Every shot is like a move — you have to think two steps ahead,” Lanier said with a smile.
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