French Open ban alcohol in drastic move after gum-spitting incident with umpires given 'important role'

French Open spectators will not be able to drink in their seats

French Open spectators will not be able to drink in their seats

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 30/05/2024

- 15:49

A few rowdy spectators at the French Open appear to have ruined it for everyone else.

French Open tournament officials have announced alcohol in the stands will now be banned following David Goffin's complaints during his match against Frenchman Giovanni Mphetshi Perricard.

The partisan crowd got behind the local favourite as he threatened a shock win over Goffin in the first round.


But the Belgian grew frustrated at some spectators, who he felt overstepped the mark and went too far.

Goffin claimed one person even spat their chewing gum out at him and raised fears the sport would start attracting the wrong crowd if things didn't change.

French Open spectators will not be able to drink in their seats

French Open spectators will not be able to drink in their seats

GETTY

French Open boss Amelie Mauresmo has wasted little time in making a change to try and deter any more trouble for the rest of the tournament by banning spectators from drinking alcohol in their seats.

"Alcohol was until now authorised in the stands. Now it's over," said Mauresmo.

"The umpires are really going to be even more strict to further respect to the players and respect the game.

"This is something that we're not going to tolerate, to overstep these two things.

"That's for sure. So umpires have quite an important role in this matter.

"And definitely in terms of security, we're going to try to see which people are maybe making (trouble), because I think it's a few individuals at some point that are overstepping."

Goffin was able to come through the contest against Perricard in five sets and cupped his hand over his ear to mock the French Open crowd.

He told the media: "When you are insulted for three-and-a-half hours, you have to tease the public a little.

French Open boss Amelie Mauresmo has urged fans to be respectful

French Open boss Amelie Mauresmo has urged fans to be respectful

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"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.

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David Goffin was upset with the rowdy crowd

David Goffin was upset with the rowdy crowd

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"If I started to get angry about it, it could have destabilised me."

Mauresmo admitted that the tournament was unable to identify the person who allegedly spat their gum at Goffin and that nobody had been ejected from the tournament as of Thursday.

She added: "We tried to gather information yesterday on what happened and how we can do things - so these new rules are from this morning. So we'll see how it goes."

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