When Belgian tennis star David Goffin faced off against French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at Roland Garros, he said the fans had treated him disrespectfully and insultingly.
Goffin defeated Perricard 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, but not before dealing with wild outbursts from the audience, who are known for attempting to irritate players who are up against Indigenous talent.
Holding his finger to his ear in response to the mockery, the Belgian player encouraged the audience to boo him more loudly as he celebrated his victory.
Speaking after the game, Goffin said he wasn’t the only player who had issues in France and detailed the abuse he was allegedly subjected to by the audience throughout the match.
He expressed his thoughts after the match and said: “When you’re insulted for three and a half hours, you have to annoy the public a little. It goes too far. 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.”
He added: “A lot of people are complaining. It’s the echo that there is in the locker room and among 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.”
Goffin at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently the world no.115, David has managed to achieve a composed 22-15 match record in 2024. David is playing at the moment at the French Open where he defeated the world no.66 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-74 6-3.
David Goffin will square off with the world no.4 Alexander Zverev in the 2nd round. Their current head to head is 3-3.
Goffin won 6 titles in his career: 2 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
David Goffin |
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