In a remarkable career pivot, former professional tennis player Maxence Broville has been crowned the winner of the prestigious Mister France beauty pageant for 2026. This victory comes as the 26-year-old athlete serves a substantial seven-year ban from professional tennis, effectively ending his sporting career prematurely.
From Tennis Courts to the Catwalk
Broville, who once shared the court with tennis legend Roger Federer, has transitioned from professional sports to the world of modelling with surprising success. The Auvergne representative had no prior modelling experience before being discovered on Instagram by a modelling agency just last year, deciding to pursue this new path because he "needed a new challenge."
The Tennis Ban That Changed Everything
The French player's tennis career came to an abrupt halt when he was handed a suspension until June 2030 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in February 2024. Broville was fined $5,000 (approximately £3,637) for failing to cooperate with a match-fixing investigation relating to matches in 2017 and 2018.
An independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer, Charles Hollander, found Broville liable for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme during a hearing in January 2024. Specifically, he was found to have failed to cooperate with the ITIA investigation, including refusing to submit personal devices for examination when formally requested to do so by investigators.
Speaking about the allegations in February 2024, Broville stated: "They had suspicions about a few doubles matches dating back to 2017." He has consistently denied all match-fixing allegations throughout the investigation.
Building a New Life Beyond Tennis
Following his suspension from professional tennis, where he achieved a career-high singles ranking of 708 in 2023, Broville has been exploring multiple new career paths. He ventured into the financial sector, taking up a role in banking while simultaneously developing his own sportswear brand.
However, it was his foray into modelling that has brought him his most significant post-tennis achievement to date. The 6ft4in athlete triumphed over 26 other candidates from across France to win the Mister France title earlier this month.
The Mister France Judging Criteria
The prestigious competition assesses contestants on several key criteria beyond physical appearance. The judging panel evaluates:
- An attractive appearance and presentation
- General knowledge and intelligence
- Communication skills and personality
- Personal commitment to causes close to their heart
Broville has demonstrated particular passion for promoting mental health awareness, having personally struggled with depression and requiring medication during his tennis suspension. This personal experience has become an important part of his platform as Mister France.
Social Media Celebration and Support
Since his victory, Broville's social media channels have been flooded with supportive messages and photographs from the ceremony. Writing to his 12,000 Instagram followers, he expressed gratitude: "A week already. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, near and far."
He added: "Thanks to the Mister France committee for the confidence given to the candidates for this intense human adventure. Honoured to represent France. Can't wait to see what's next in store."
A pinned post on his Instagram page shows him shaking hands with tennis legend Roger Federer on court, with the caption reading: "No words can describe how thankful I am to have shared the court with this legend. A real inspiration."
What the Ban Means for Broville's Future
The comprehensive ban prohibits Broville from:
- Participating in any tennis events authorised by ITIA members
- Coaching at any sanctioned tennis events
- Attending any tournaments sanctioned by major tennis organisations
This restriction applies to events organised by the ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, and USTA until June 2030, essentially closing the door on any professional tennis involvement for the foreseeable future.
Despite this significant setback in his sporting career, Broville's success in the Mister France competition demonstrates his ability to reinvent himself and find success in entirely new arenas. His story serves as a testament to resilience and adaptation in the face of professional adversity.
