Tennis star rants sport will be hit by ‘smoke bombs’ after fan spits gum at him

A BELGIAN ace has warned tennis is turning into football and soon there will be “smoke bombs, hooligans” and “fights in the stands”.

David Goffin, 33, won 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-7 6-3 against lanky French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on a raucous Court 14 on Tuesday.

The world No.115 claimed “someone spat out their chewing gum at me” during the five-setter with a home favourite.

And as he left the arena, he cupped his ear to all four sides to counter the jeers.

Goffin, who now plays German Alex Zverev in round two, claimed: “When you are insulted for three-and-a-half hours, you have to annoy the public a little.

“Clearly, it goes too far, it’s total disrespect. It’s becoming like football, soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and there will be fights in the stands.

“It’s ridiculous. Some are there more to make a scene than to set the mood.

“A lot of people are complaining. It’s the echo that is there in the locker room.

“I think that it only happens in France. At Wimbledon there is not that, nor in Australia either. The US Open is rather quiet (than) here.”

It is normal for French fans to support their home-grown players but occasionally that passion can overspill into unacceptable levels.

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France’s Lucas Pouille, a former top-10 player, said fans at Roland Garros had not particularly crossed the line.

He said: “It adds spice to a sport that can sometimes be flat.”

At last year’s French Open, Australian doubles player Arina Rodionova reckoned the punters has become more feisty and vocal.

She asked on social media: “Is it me or (is) French crowd especially feral this year?

“Normally there is at least a little bit of logic behind the booing.. this year they just woke up and chose violence.”

Also in 2023, Novak Djokovic was targeted by the boo-boys when he took a medical timeout.

A FFT spokesperson said: “The public are incredibly enthusiastic, particularly on the outside courts.

“However, they must, of course, show full respect to all players while doing so.

“Oversight bodies are in place to make sure rules are followed.

“Although it is only natural that fans share their excitement and cheer on their favourites, this may not go against the values of tennis or consideration for the players.”