French Open bans alcohol in stands after David Goffin revealed he was spat on by a spectator

David Goffin was taken aback by what he faced at the Roland Garros.

French Open bans alcohol in stands after David Goffin revealed he was spat on by a spectator

David Goffin (Image via Imago)

The French Open organizers have responded by banning alcohol in the stands after Belgium’s David Goffin claimed he was spat on by a spectator. The tournament will now have strict rules following some out-of-bounds behavior by some fans in recent games.

Also, yesterday, during Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka’s match, some fans were shouting during the first and second serve distracting the players. Swiatek even had to plead with the crowd during her on-court interview that they should stop the noise during points as it affected her game.

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But, the crux of the intolerable acts by some fans in the stands happened in David Goffin and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s first-round match at the French Open. During the match, Goffin was booed, especially after winning each point. He later revealed that he was also cursed and spat on by a spectator. After winning the match, he celebrated by raising a finger at the fans as the jeers grew louder.

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However, the tournament director Amelie Mauresmo revealed that it was a joy to see the fans show emotions but that out-of-bounds behavior like shouting and drinking alcohol in stands are banned.

But there are a few people who cross the line. I’ve given instructions to the umpires that they should be hyper-reactive so that they can control the court, if, for example, there are (shouts) between the first and second serves. If there is the slightest out-of-bounds behaviour in the stands, I have instructed the security staff to evacuate the people very clearly, even if they are not always easy to identify.
Amelie Mauresmo said via Tennis Majors

The Former World No.1 added that the umpires will be stricter and early instructions to the public will be revealed before each match starts. This is to make sure the crowd is fully up-to-date with the rules.

David Goffin admitted he was disrespected after French crowd insulted him for over three hours

David Goffin revealed that it was a total disrespect from the crowd as he was jeered and booed for the entirety of the match. The Belgian defeated French Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to book a place in the second round.

Despite the win, the hostile environment in the court was alarming, as Goffin revealed he was insulted by the crowd for over three hours.

David Goffin
David Goffin (via IMAGO)
When you’re insulted for three and a half hours, you have to annoy the public a little. It’s total disrespect. Some people are there more to make a mess than to make an atmosphere today, someone spat their gum at me.
David Goffin said at the post-match presser

Meanwhile, Goffin crashed out of the French Open after a second-round loss to Alexander Zverev. The German got the better of Goffin in straight sets.

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