"I didn't like all those boos": Lorenzo Musetti slams crowd's behavior during first round win at Paris Olympics against Gael Monfils

Italy’s tennis star Lorenzo Musetti has criticised the crowd's behaviour during his first-round win in the Paris Olympics. The mega-event officially started on Friday, and thousands of athletes from around the world are participating to secure the ultimate glory for their respective countries.

Musetti is taking in the men’s singles and doubles category. In the men’s singles event, he secured his place in the second round after beating France’s Gael Monfils in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Talking after the match, the 22-year-old hit out at the crowd’s behaviour, especially at the start of the match when they booed him. He stated that such behaviour from the crowd is disrespectful towards an athlete who is there to compete.

"I didn't like all those boos when I entered the pitch, these are things I don't like because I like healthy values such as respect,” he said. “I understand the cheering, but the boos at the entrance to the pitch seemed exaggerated to me. After the victory then, I pointed to the emblem of Italy to make it clear that we are also there and want to win. Today, I won on the field, which is the most important thing."

During the match, Musetti was far more disciplined compared to his rival as he ended up committing 13 unforced errors in the match, 25 fewer than Monfils. The world number 16 was also very efficient with his serve as he ended up winning 72 percent of service points. On the other hand, the veteran French tennis player won just 49 percent of points while serving.

Musetti will now face Argentina’s Mariano Navone who booked his spot in the second round of the mega-event after beating Portugal’s Nuno Borges in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two players in professional tennis.