Holger Rune 'didn't feel safe' and threatens forfeit over aggressive fan in Quentin Halys win

Holger Rune is through at the French Open albeit in a real battle against Quentin Halys. But the real issue wasn't the Frenchman at times, it was the crowd as he threatened to forfeit his tie if a member of the crowd wasn't removed.

Rune claimed that the fan was 'aggressive' and that he 'didn't feel safe'. He said that he would forfeit if they were not removed. A tournament supervisor had to come onto the court in the process.

Rune accused a crowd member of grabbing his towel when he returned to his box. He then lashed out at Adel Nour, the chair umpire. He decided not to eject said fan and that Rune's protests alone were not a catalyst to remove him.

As he walked to the back of the court, Rune threw down his towel and further spoke to the fan who held his arms aloft in defence.

TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins said: “Well the conversation between Holger Rune and the umpire Adel Nour continues about the spectator who tried to grab, did grab, Rune’s towel as he took it back to his box courtside. Rune said that he wouldn’t play again until the spectator had been ejected.

“He said that he didn’t feel safe, that the guy was getting aggressive. Spectator is still in his seat, and here is Rune serving to stay in this third set…

“I assume that is at the umpire’s discretion and it would appear that Adel Nour has decided that as much as Rune is upset about it, annoyed about it, it is not enough to kick the spectator out.”

Albeit said fan did leave off his own volition in the end. He finally won 3-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 and he explained it also afterwards.

“I put my towel down next to the tub and the man started yelling at me aggressively. He put his arms out to me. I realized it was a bit weird, because he shouldn't be interacting with a player on the pitch. It's a bit awkward”.

“I told the supervisor that I preferred that this person not be there, because I didn't feel comfortable. They said they would look at the video. And since they saw my suggestions, they made him leave.”