French Open star accuses fan of ‘spitting chewing gum at him’ as ‘hooligan’ threat issued | Tennis | Sport

David Goffin has slammed the French Open crowd after his first-round victory against home favourite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday. The Belgian has labelled some of the fans at Roland Garros as “hooligans”, claiming one individual in attendance spat chewing gum at him during the match.

Goffin triumphed 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 over Perricard in a five-set thriller, cupping his ear in the direction of the Crowd 14 audience after progressing.

The 33-year-old is competing in a 13th French Open but was firmly the pantomime villain against the Frenchman, who entered as a wildcard.

Following the clash, which lasted three hours and 35 minutes, Goffin explained his actions shortly after firing the jab at the Paris crowd.

He said: “When you are insulted for three and a half hours, you have to tease the public a little. Clearly, it goes too far. It’s total disrespect. It’s really too much.

“It’s becoming football. Soon, there will be smoke bombs, hooligans, and there will be 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 destabilised me.”

Goffin added that he wasn’t the only player with complaints about the behaviour of the French Open fans, believing it is nothing like the other Grand Slams.

“A lot of people are complaining, a lot of umpires feel that there is a lot of disrespect,” the veteran 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. I think it only happens in France.

“At Wimbledon, obviously, there’s not that. Or in Australia either. And at the US Open, it’s still rather quiet. Here [at Roland Garros], it’s really an unhealthy atmosphere.”

Despite Goffin’s rant, Perricard, who became the world No. 66 with the Lyon title last week, praised the audience for their support. However, he was unaware that someone had allegedly spat at his opponent.

He explained: “It was really nice to have so much support. I had a lot in Lyon as well, but that was different because here the guys are really with you from first to the last point.

“It’s really very pleasant to have such an audience. I like it that they encouraged me. It helped me when I was broken in the fourth [set], and I would like to thank them for it. It’s really fantastic to have these guys there.”

Goffin faces a tough test against fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the second round on Thursday.