It was a year ago that Alex Lanier took the step from being a challenger at the big events to a champion. With his triumph at last year’s Japan Open, Lanier had made a statement not just for himself, but for French men’s singles.

The last couple of years has been a defining period for French badminton, and Lanier has been at the forefront of the wave. With the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships coming up soon, there couldn’t have been a better time for Lanier and his peers to emerge.

Back to defend his title at the DAIHATSU Japan Open 2025, Lanier sounds at ease and confident. The world No.8 had a good start to his campaign, beating Leong Jun Hao 21-12 21-14. Lanier revealed that he had come early (with Anders Antonsen) to train at NTT Club.

“It feels very nice to be back here,” said Lanier. “We’ve been here for a week, and it feels amazing, to be honest. I like the culture, I like the vibe, so I feel extremely good; today I felt good on court also.  I’m happy.

“Maybe there is small pressure (as defending champion) for sure, but I feel we’re all good, and I’m taking it one by one and trying to play my best badminton and to enjoy on court. It’s different feeling, but I’m in the same focus.

“We had the opportunity to come to NTT. It was nice to be there, there’s a good environment. I prefer to come one week before, I prefer to come too early rather than too late. It was good to practice with the Japanese players and with Anders (Antonsen), we went together. It was fantastic – some good badminton, some good food also!”

What changed for him after the Japan Open win?

“I’m not the underdog any more. I feel good on court. I’m better also, physically, and mentally I feel stable. I’m getting used to the big hall and the conditions.”

With just over a month to go for the World Championships on home turf, Lanier acknowledges the challenges and opportunities.

“We are definitely trying to be strong physically. The World Championships is tough physically, but it’s also going to be intense mentally, there are a lot of things, a lot of media, friends, family… there are a lot of distractions, and we’re also working mentally with some professionals to be able to handle that. It’s the first time that there are so many people around me, so it’s in a way interesting and quite good.

“On the other hand, there is definitely pressure, but I’m taking it as a good moment. I’m going to share the moment with the fans’ family and use them as energy and show them that I’m working for them. Also, to take pleasure on court and give pleasure to them.”

As for his immediate tasks, which are the Japan Open and China Open, Lanier hopes to stake a claim for the title, and not just treat them as preparation for the Worlds.

“It’s to get the title. There is China next week. It’s definitely one of my goals. We take this not only as preparation for the World Championships, but also as development for the future. I’m playing some good tournaments and I need to take the experience there.”

Highlights:

» Young Indonesian hope Alwi Farhan progressed with a straight games result over All England runner-up Lee Chia Hao, 21-18 21-11. Another encouraging result for Indonesia was world No.22 Amri Syahnawi/Nita Violina Marwah’s 21-10 21-19 upset of No.10 Chen Xing/Zhang Chi.

» However, Indonesia suffered twin blows earlier with Jonatan Christie and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung crashing out to home contenders. While Christie fell 21-13 21-12 to Kenta Nishimoto, Tunjung was beaten by Riko Gunji 21-10 21-12.

WHAT THEY SAID

“It’s really disappointing. I prepared my best for this tournament. I still have a lot of homework to do, to reduce unforced errors. It’s tough for me; over the last few months, I’ve lost in the first or second round. But it is what it is.” – Jonatan Christie

“It’s always interesting to play in Japan. Everything is on the right track and we hope to do well. Winning the Japan Open was our first major win and it boosted our confidence.” – Goh Sze Fei

→Results (Day 1)