“Insulted for 3.5 hours”, Belgian ATP star David Goffin took a jibe at the Parisian crowd at Roland Garros. During his first-round match in the French Open, he faced an unpleasant situation. Despite not losing control over his game, Goffin revealed the dark side of the prestigious tour saying “that it only happens in France”.

A tennis journalist took to X to share the Belgian tennis player’s comments on what he perceived as a hostile reception. “When you’re insulted for 3.5 hours, you have to annoy the public a little. Clearly, it goes too far. It’s total disrespect. Some people are there more to make a mess than to make a mess of things. atmosphere today, someone spat their gum at me,” said Goffin.

He also added- “I think that it only happens in France. At Wimbledon there is not that. In Australia either. The US Open is rather quiet.” 

It is not only David Goffin who suffered such an unexpected reaction from the crowd. Last year, America’s Taylor Fritz was able to keep his calm and defeat Arthur Rinderknech after being booed by the fans in the stands at the French Open. Embarrassed and angry, Fritz expressed his disappointment with the crowd in a post-match interview.

“I’m sorry I actually can’t hear you, The crowd was so great honestly … that I had to let it fire me up. They cheered so well for me I wanted to make sure I won,” – Fritz said to the interviewer Marion Bartoli.

Goffin didn’t let the incident mess up his game. Rather he closed his ears with his fingers, showing the negative crowd his indomitable spirit as he secured the victory against his opponent. Nevertheless, the incident with Goffin shows how brutal tennis fans can be.

Belgium’s David Goffin played a riveting first match in Roland Garros

The French crowd tried their best to put him off his game, but the Belgian ATP star defeated Mpetshi Perricard 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(4) and 6-3. In the match, which was over three hours long, Goffin showed incredible resilience to unleash his A-game on the court. Goffin will now face off against the Italian Open winner Zverev after their recent clash in Rome. While Zverev won that match, it is time to see whether Goffin can get his payback this time.

Goffin’s success shows how players stay true to their game and spirit to overcome such challenges like a king. Do you think that the tennis fans were fair in their reaction to Goffin? Let us know in the comment section below.