“Calling them hooligans is ridiculous,” Dan Evans replies to Iga Swiatek and David Goffin’s criticism of French Open crowd

Dan Evans and Andy Murray crash out of the Roland Garros doubles despite being given a last-minute wildcard.

“Calling them hooligans is ridiculous,” Dan Evans replies to Iga Swiatek and David Goffin’s criticism of French Open crowd

Dan Evans blasts Iga Swiatek and David Goffin for their recent takes (via Imago)

David Goffin‘s remark about the unruly behavior of the crowd at the French Open has stirred several mixed reactions from players. WTA No.1 Iga Swiatek joined the Belgian, claiming that the crowd made a lot of noise, but British star Dan Evans believes it is unfair to tell fans to calm down.

Novak Djokovic also added to Goffin’s claim that some sections of the fans making noise throughout a match was intolerable. All this began during David Goffin’s first-round match against French Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The crowd was in support of Mpetshi Perricard, so they kept booing and jeering at Goffin for the entirety of the match.

Though Goffin survived by beating Mpetshi Perricard, he told the media that he was spat on by a spectator and insulted during the match. He went on to call the crowd ‘hooligans’. Additionally, after Swiatek defeated Naomi Osaka in the second round, she revealed that some fans were screaming during the first and second serve.

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David Goffin
David Goffin (via IMAGO)

In response to Goffin and Swiatek’s claim, the French Open organizers banned fans from taking alcohol at the court sides. But, for Evans, it is unfair to label fans ‘hooligans’ or even ask them to calm down while their voice should be on the court.

I'm surprised at the reaction of some players towards the crowd, we need to be careful what we say about spectators and ask them not to drink or get too excited. The atmosphere here is one of the best. People are passionate about it and love it. Spectators pay hard-earned money to come here and some players tell them to stop being so loud… Come on, it's sport. We want the public to be there. Calling them hooligans is simply ridiculous.
Dan Evans said via The Times

Nonetheless, the French Open has instructed security guards to remove any fan who behaves unruly during matches. It is to be seen if any further grievances arise or if the rest of the tournament functions smoothly.

Dan Evans and Andy Murray crash out from the French Open doubles

Besides that, Dan Evans will be leaving the Roland Garros after suffering a disappointing defeat at the French Open doubles with his partner Andy Murray. The British duo were given wildcards into the doubles draw in hopes of pairing at the Paris Olympics.

Dan-Evans-Andy-Murray
Dan Evan and Andy Murray (Image via Imago)

Murray and Evans had already exited the singles competition in the first round after heavy defeats but were hoping to claim something at the Roland Garros. However, they were beaten by Thiago Seyboth Wild and Sebastian Baez 7-6 (6) 7-6 (3) in the first round.

The duo are not in good form following a poor clay season. Evans was beaten by Arthur Rinderknech in the round of 32 of the Lyon Open before the Roland Garros, while Murray has had one win since returning from an ankle injury.

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