Dan Evans
criticized players for their "laughable" complaints about the noise
from fans at Roland Garros. The former world No. 21 said he was surprised by
the complaints from some tennis players and highlighted the atmosphere at the
French Open.
The Briton
did not have a great run this year in Paris. He lost in the first round to the
13th seed Holger Rune in straight sets, and in doubles, he paired with Andy
Murray, aiming for the Olympics, but they lost in two tight tie-breaks to the
South American duo Sebastian Baez and Thiago Seyboth Wild.
Evans defends fans' behaviour at Roland Garros
The
controversy began at the French Open after the former world No. 7 David Goffin
accused the crowd of constant disrespect with noise interruptions during points
and his serves. Goffin faced local player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the
first round and won in five sets. The Belgian even mentioned that a fan spat
chewing gum at him.
Recently,
Iga Swiatek deviated from the usual script in her on-court interview, asking
fans not to interrupt during points. The Pole had just won an epic match
against the 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and urged them not to shout
during rallies.
Tournament
director Amelie Mauresmo asked the referees and supervisors to be stricter to
ensure the respect and safety of the players and announced that alcohol would
no longer be allowed in the stands after fan behavior received criticism.
Daniel Evans at 2022 Nottingham Open
Evans
recently told The Times about his participation in the French Open and
commented on players complaining about the crowd: "I'm surprised at the
reaction of some players to the crowd," Evans told The Times. "We
have to be careful what we are saying about the spectators and asking them not
to drink or get too excited. They will start thinking, 'What's the point?'
"The
atmosphere here is one of the best. They are passionate and go crazy for this.
There are kids everywhere loving tennis. Now we are telling them to stop,” Dan
Evans added. "The spectators pay hard-earned money to come here, and for
some players to tell them to stop being so loud... come on, this is sport. We
want the crowd to be into it. To call them hooligans is just laughable."
American
Sebastian Korda also agreed with Evans. The 23-year-old player faced a local
player in his debut, winning against Harold Mayot in straight sets. Despite
having the crowd against him in that match, Korda commented that he hopes
spectators can do what they want: "That they're not smashing booze out
there? I've played in Australia on one of their brand-new courts that has a bar
right next to it," Korda said.
"It
wasn't a fun experience. I've heard some stuff that weren't very nice,” he
added. "I think [spectators] should do whatever they want, but hopefully
not get too rowdy out there."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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