The rising French star whose dad won Rugby World Cup with England

- Published

Accents quickly reveal a lot about a person.

So speaking to Leeds-born Felix Balshaw - the 20-year-old son of England Rugby World Cup winner Iain - it quickly becomes clear why he is representing France on his climb up the professional tennis ladder.

There is no mistaking a strong Gallic twang as Balshaw, who celebrated the first ATP Tour victory of his career this week, discusses his journey.

Balshaw was born in West Yorkshire while his father played for Premiership club Leeds Tykes, before the family moved to Biarritz when Iain - an electrifying full-back/wing who scored three tries in England's iconic 2003 campaign - joined the cross-channel exodus to the French Top 14.

The Balshaws have remained in the luxurious Basque coastal city, known for its Belle Epoque architecture, Atlantic seafront casinos and world-class surfing.

"We came down in Biarritz in 2009 and we just loved the place," said Felix, who broke into the world's top 200 last month for the first time.

"I grew up in France and, as each day went by, I felt more and more French.

"Since I've been little, from when I started playing in Tennis Europe juniors, I have always had the French flag by my name."

Balshaw pledging allegiance to his adopted country is understandable given his limited contact with his birthland.

Trips back across the English Channel have been "very rare" for the Balshaw children, largely restricted to Christmas family gatherings.

Their maternal grandmother lives in Bath, although Felix has never visited his father's hometown of Blackburn.

But the world number 178 is fully aware his dad will forever be ingrained in the fabric of English sporting history.

The then Bath player scored three tries during England's historic 2003 World Cup campaign, helping secure a 20-17 victory over Australia in the final when he came on as a second-half substitute.

On the eve of the biggest match of his career - facing fellow Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the Lyon Open second round - Felix tried to draw inspiration from watching highlights of his father playing in 2003.

"I just had a massive smile [watching] because I can say 'this is my dad'," he said.

"When he was at Biarritz I was always stood in a little corner in the stands with the rugby gang. It was very, very inspirational to watch him.

"As a father he's tough, but it's always important that he has a lot of experience in rugby, so he's got a lot of stuff to teach me.

"He's always been a great, great part of my life. He's always had my back."

Balshaw started playing tennis at the age of four, but unsurprisingly also had a talent for rugby.

At 13, he needed to make a choice about which sport he wanted to pursue more seriously with the prospect of a professional career looming.

"When I was little, and your father is a rugby champion, of course you always want to follow in his steps and do the same journey as him," Balshaw said.

"But I just felt that rugby was not going to be my sport.

"Tennis, I guess, is more difficult for me than rugby because it's an individual sport, but there was a little more fire in me [playing tennis].

"That meant it was the right choice to choose tennis."

Balshaw is essentially an inverted Arthur Fery - the French-born British number one who became a household name with a stunning run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

The pair actually met for the first time at this week's ATP 250 event in Lyon, where Balshaw beat Portuguese world number 56 Jaime Faria for his maiden win at tour level.

Possessing a Roger Federer-style one-handed backhand, and a Thor-inspired hammer celebration, Balshaw announced his arrival in some style.

Next week Balshaw will rise into the world's top 180, having starting the 2026 season ranked 718th.

His success will also attract interest among Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) chiefs, who are desperate to increase the pool of British players at the elite level.

Was Balshaw ever approached by the LTA to represent the country of his birth?

And was there ever a conversation with his parents about who he should represent?

"Maybe my parents are hiding stuff and I don't know, but I have never been personally contacted by the LTA," Felix said.

"I think for [my parents] the most important thing is if I'm happy, they'll be happy as well."