How French Open's unruly home fans have stirred controversy: From making Iga Swiatek plead for silence to spitting at David Goffin
Unruly fan behavior has become a hot topic of debate at the 2024 French Open. Several top stars have weighed in on the issue after Iga Swiatek and David Goffin raised their concerns.
French fans have provided entertainment and drama for those watching tennis with their antics during matches and raucous support for local players. However, on many occasions at this year's Roland Garros and in the past tournaments, French spectators' conduct has become rowdy and more than a handful for players to bear.
At the 2024 French Open, players have started to object to unruly fan behavior rather than look the other way. First amongst them was Belgian veteran David Goffin, who detailed the abuse he faced during his opening-round match against French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on May 28.
Both men fought a close five-set contest in which Goffin managed to outlast the French youngster 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3. After his win, the French crowd heavily booed the Belgian, and he put his fingers in his ears, which seemed to rile up the fans even more. In his post-match press conference, the 33-year-old said his conduct was fair game after being constantly "insulted" by the spectators for more than three hours.
Goffin revealed that a few people in the stands were just there to disrupt the proceedings, and one person even spat gum on him. The former World No. 7 added that many players have complained about bad experiences with French fans in private, and such fan conduct is unique only to the French Open.
"When you're insulted for 3.5 hours, you have to annoy the public a little. Clearly, it goes too far. It's total disrespect. Some people are there more to make a mess than to make a mess of things. Atmosphere today, someone spat their gum at me," Goffin said. (Translated from French).
"A lot of people are complaining. It's the echo that there is in the locker room and in the ATP authorities. I think that it only happens in France. At Wimbledon there is not that. In Australia either. The US Open is rather quiet here," he added.
Then, a day later, two-time French Open defending champion Iga Swiatek urged the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier to remain silent during rallies after her blockbuster three-set win against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. The Pole saved a match point and came back from a break down in the final set to defeat Osaka 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5.
In her on-court interview after the match, the World No. 1 asked fans not to scream during long rallies and points, as it can distract players. Vary of being the next victim of boos from the French crowd, Swiatek asked them to be considerate towards players.
"I have huge respect for you guys and I know we are playing for you, but sometimes under a lot of pressure when you scream something during the rally, it’s really hard to be focused. I usually don’t bring this up because I want to be a player that’s in the zone and focused. But this is serious for us. We’re fighting our whole lives to be better and better. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that. The stakes are big. There’s a lot of money to win. Losing a few points may change a lot," Swiatek said.
She added, "Please, guys, if you can support us between the rallies but not during, that would be great. I hope you’re still gonna like me because I know French crowd might get some players they don’t like and boo. But I love you guys and always love playing here, so let’s continue that."
French Open tournament director bans alcohol over unruly fan behavior
David Goffin and Iga Swiatek's comments stirred strong reactions from across the tennis world, and French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo took heed of the issue. Mauresmo, a two-time Grand Slam champion, announced that the organizers are implementing new measures to curb disruptive fan conduct, including an alcohol ban in the stands.
While alcohol consumption will be permitted at the French Open grounds, it will no longer allowed inside the stands. Moreover, Mauresmo issued a stern warning to those misbehaving and urged umpires and security personnel to be extra vigilant in maintaining decorum.
“Alcohol was allowed until now in the stands – not in all the stands – that’s over,” Mauresmo said.
“There are a few people who cross the line. Yet I want to be uncompromising about respect for the players and the game. 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," Mauresmo told media on Thursday (via Tennis Majors).
"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... If they go too far, they go out,” she added.