Moutet's coach exposes unsportsmanlike conduct during Santiago tournament ahead of French Open opener

Sunday, 26 May 2024 at 12:05

Corentin Moutet’s coach, Petar Popovic, has opened up about how the French tennis player was abused during his outing in Santiago earlier this year.

The 25-year-old is set to face Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in the opening round of the French Open on Sunday. Ahead of the match, Popovic recalled how his client was treated during their previous outing in the Chile Open back in March and was also critical of Jarry's behaviour during the incident.

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“The fans (in Santiago) were behaving like a bunch of animals,” siad Popovic. “The worst possible behavior you can get at a tennis match. It was like football, they insulted Corentin non-stop. They swore at him between points, they booed or whistled as he was about to serve.

“When (Corentin) went to the toilet after the first set, some fans even threatened him. Then I had to threaten them, so they changed their tune. Really ugly atmosphere to play in, and we basically had two-three members of security, around 65 years old, by us.

“Jarry’s father was really nice, he tried to calm the fans, to explain to them that it’s not the right way to behave, but Jarry should have behaved like a true host, he should’ve taken the microphone and say: ’Don’t do that, don’t curse at him, don’t boo as he tosses the ball’.

Nicolas Jarry is coming into the French Open after an impressive outing in the Rome Open.

“Jarry should have stepped up there, but not only that he didn’t to that, he tried to give a lesson to Moutet at the net by telling him ’patetico’ (pathetic). The next day, we played against Tabilo, also a Chilean, and he did all the right things.”

That contest ended with Moutet’s win as he came out on top in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-6. However, things will not be as easy this time around as Jarry is coming into this event on the back of an impressive outing in the recently concluded Rome Open, where he finished as the runner-up after losing in the final to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-5.

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Corentin Moutet (@moutet99) a de l'or dans le bras et un tennis qui peut le rendre très populaire. S'il gomme ses excès tout en gardant quand même son caractère volcanique et qu'il améliore sa relation avec les médias français, il peut régaler. 🎥@atptour

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