20/11/2010 - Thomas Le BRETON the member of the French golden team that won titles at three European championships, came to Serbian Open in Subotica to taste the spirit of independence and to gain experience for the future. Young senior talked with us about the reasons for his arrival in Serbia, and plans for the future, just minutes after he won the top place in his qualification group at the Serbia Open. Unfortunately, latter he suffered defeat in the first round of the main draw against Djordje BORCIC.

"I am here with Benjamin BROSSIER. We came alone without coach. It is important for us to start gaining experience for the future tournaments. I am senior now and I am going to need it. We have to see how it works when you are on your own, when you travel, what to do and how to manage your trip in foreign countries. We had a good training here, and I faced good adversaries in the opening stage of the tournament, so my pleasure in winning the top position is even bigger" explained LE BRETON.

LE BRETON overcame Viktor ROGIC of Montenegro, Zoltan PETE and Kristian DALEA of Serbia in the qualification stage. "The last match was very hard. It was good game. My goal right now is to gain as much ranking points as I can, and this is good opportunity."

Young French player is the member of the team that works in the top national center INSEP in Paris.  "We have one of the best centers for table tennis in Europe. Recently we added new facilities, two new buildings and our coaching team is the best. In our center practicing Damien ELOI, Christoph LEGOUT, Emmanuel LEBESON and Abdel KADER SALIFOU, as well as younger players such as Quentin ROBINOT, Benjamin BROSSIER, Simon GAUZY, Romain LORENTZ...I live there and now when I finished school I can give 100 percent of me to the table tennis."

Is it hard to be far from home and to live in the center? "No. It is really nice atmosphere there and I am enjoying every moment. We are good friends; we have a lot of activities. We are like family. However, when we are in the hall the good quality of our group helps us to give the best. The competition and friendly rivalry between us pushes us even further."

Thomas plays in the Issy in French B league. "We have a lot of foreign players and it brings some extra quality to the league." It is not all about club and team life for LE BRETON. He also finds the time to promote table tennis. "Recently I spend a lot of time preparing the project, something like show to promote the sport in my home town. I live in town three hours of drive near Paris, and I brought my friends BROSSIER, LORENTZ... there and we had a good show."

Also, LE BRETON is interested in actual politic. "The political moment in Europe and France is very complicated. I read a lot recently on that subject. I am trying to understand what is happening and I try to learn about all of problems that bother all of us now."

Already, LE BRETON travels a lot. "I enjoyed my trips to USA and South Africa. Also I like to come to countries in East Europe, because people are very friendly and open," admitted Thomas LE BRETON.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)