French Open to ban alcohol in stands after player complaints

French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has said that alcohol will be banned in the stands at Roland Garros.

The announcement comes after Belgian player David Goffin claimed he was spat at during his win over home hopeful Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday. “Clearly, it goes too far, it’s total disrespect,” Goffin said. “It’s becoming like football. Soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and there will be fights in the stands.

“It’s starting to become ridiculous. Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere.”

The following day, world No 1 and three-time champion Iga Swiatek, pleaded with the crowd to be more courteous during points after her three-set win over Naomi Osaka.

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) called on fans to show “full respect to all players” after Goffin’s complaints, and now Mauresmo has gone a step further with the alcohol restriction. She also told reporters that the tournament was trying to find the spectator who had spat at Goffin, and that security would be tightened on site.

The ban is out of step with the other Grand Slams, where spectators are permitted to drink alcohol in the stands.

(Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images)