David Goffin has announced he will retire at the end of the season, bringing an end to an impressive career on the ATP Tour.
The Belgian, who became the first from his country to break the world’s top ten, took to social media to announce he will call it a day after the conclusion of his 2026 campaign.
Goffin revealed that the knee injury he suffered last season played a ‘decisive role’ in his decision to stop.
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Throughout his career, the former world number seven was a crowd favourite almost everywhere he went.
However, at Roland Garros one year, Goffin received a rather hostile reception.
David Goffin’s comments on the French Open crowd in 2024
Goffin took on home hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his opening match of the clay-court Grand Slam in 2024.
The partisan crowd were, of course, largely in favour of the Frenchman, but Goffin felt they crossed the line.
As per ESPN, 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 fights in the stands.
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“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. [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.
“A lot of people are complaining. A lot of umpires feel that there is a lot of disrespect,” Goffin said. “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. At the US Open, it’s still rather quiet. Here, it’s a really unhealthy atmosphere.”
French Open tournament organizers’ response to David Goffin
In response to Goffin’s complaints, a spokesperson for Roland Garros said: “The public are incredibly enthusiastic, particularly on the outside courts.”
“However, they must of course show full respect to all players while doing so. Oversight bodies are in place to make sure rules are followed.
“Although it’s only natural that fans share their excitement and cheer on their favourites, this may not in any case go against the values of tennis or consideration for the players.”
Goffin ultimately won the bout with Mpetshi Perricard in a lengthy five-setter and held his hands to his ears as he left the court.
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