Goffin Slams Rowdy French Fans After Tough Win

By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Belgian David Goffin thinks it’s time for tennis officials to do something about rowdy tennis fans after he got through a tough opening round at Roland Garros.

Goffin defeated French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who recently won the Lyon title, 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3 to reach the second round on Tuesday. After the win, Goffin accused the local fans of “total disrespect” because of their behavior during the match.

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Speaking to Belgian media, Goffin said he was subjected to unnecessary behavior, including being spit on by one spectator during the over three hour match on Court 14. Goffin, who left the court holding his hands over his ears as fans jeered him, is glad he kept his cool during the encounter.

“When you are insulted for three and half hours, you have to tease the public a little,” Goffin told Belgian media. “Clearly, it goes too far, it’s total disrespect.”

While French fans will often become very vocal in support of local players during their home major, Goffin feels the fans were out of control in this match.

😠 The Paris crowd booed David Goffin after he knocked out Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Round 1 at #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/R58Zmzzq1f

— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 29, 2024

“It’s really too much. It’s becoming football, soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and fights in the stands. It’s starting to become ridiculous. Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere. “Someone spat out their chewing gum at me. It (the match) was getting complicated. That’s why I wanted to stay calm. If I started to get angry about it, it could have destabilized me.”

Goffin later urged tournament organizers to do something about their fans during the event. He feels French fans are more unruly than fans at the other majors including Australia, Wimbledon, and the US Open in New York.

“A lot of people are complaining, a lot of umpires feel that there is a lot of disrespect,” Goffin added. “This is repeated a lot in the locker room and among the ATP authorities. We’re going to have to do something about that.”

Goffin next faces No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev, who defeated King of Clay Rafael Nadal in round one.

Photo Credit: Open Sud de France Facebook