Former top 10 player accuses French Open crowd of ‘total disrespect’ in his first round match

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The French Open is well and truly underway, with plenty of twists and turns having already taking place in Paris.

It is only the opening stages of the Roland Garros, but already fan favourite Rafael Nadal has exited the men’s singles, along with Andy Murray.

There was, however, a first round win for Belgian David Goffin, who defeated French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

The former emerged victorious 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in a lengthy battle to set up a second round meeting with Alexander Zverev.

World number 115 Goffin will have it all to do against the German, with the number four seed having defeated Nadal in the opening round.

David Goffin blasts French Open crowd in first round match

But despite Goffin’s hard-fought win, he is not happy, with the 33-year-old tearing into the crowd in Paris.

The former world number seven was hugely displeased about the treatment he received during the match, and believes the unhealthy atmosphere is only present at the French Open.

“When you get insulted for 3.5 hours, you have to annoy the audience a little,” as reported by Quentin Moynet on X.

“Clearly, this is going too far. This is total disrespect. Some are there more to make a mess than to set the mood. Today someone spat their gum at me.

“Lots of people are complaining. This is the echo in the locker room and in the ATP authorities.

“I think it only happens in France. At Wimbledon there is no such thing. Neither in Australia. The US Open is pretty quiet. It’s a really unhealthy atmosphere here.”

French Open crowd continue hitting the headlines

Belgian Goffin certainly wasn’t the fan favourite during his clash with Perricard, which is perhaps unsurprising given that the latter hails from France.

But the same can be said of his upcoming opponent Zverev, who upset the home support by defeating the much-loved Nadal.

It may be the latter’s final French Open appearance, but Nadal did reveal shortly afterwards that his body was feeling healthy.

Goffin isn’t the only player to have words for the crowd at Roland Garros, with Daniil Medvedev branding them “weird” as they cheered for former French player Gilles Simon during the Russian’s opener against Dominik Koepfer.