FRENCH OPEN IMPOSES ALCOHOL BAN FOLLOWING PLAYER COMPLAINTS
- Christian Montegan
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
As a consequence of poor fan behaviour at the 2024 French Open, the tournament has decided to implement an alcohol ban.
French spectators have been known to be increasingly rowdy, with Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek the most notable names to call out fans displaying disrespect by shouting during points at last year's event.
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Former world No.8 David Goffin shockingly revealed that someone spat chewing gum at him during his match.
"It has changed, and especially the last few years, I don't know if it was after the COVID or not, it's a different kind of support here. More excitement, a little bit aggressive. People come to have fun, that's for sure. Sometimes they just go for too much," he said 12 months ago.
Having had the chance to sit down and review their mistakes, Roland-Garros have little choice but to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in the stands for the upcoming Grand Slam.
"It will be fully renewed this year. You can consume in the aisles," Tournament Director and former world No.1 Amélie Mauresmo confirmed when speaking to Ouest-France. "But once you're on a court, that’s it. And if we notice any incidents, we don't hesitate to evacuate spectators.
"I also think that the post-COVID period has given people the desire to express themselves differently and more fully, to let go. And not just at sporting events."
She responded to mistreatment aimed at Goffin, stating after the incident: "Alcohol was allowed until now in the stands... not in all the stands, that's over. If anyone exceeds the limit, if anyone doesn't behave well or if anyone throws things at the players, that's it, they go out."
Seven-time major champion and now commentator, Mats Wilander, has had his say in the past about crowd support in tennis.
"The planet has become much more emotional, nerves are more raw," he said. "They were ordered to act in this or that way. They didn't like it. They came back with the idea of living and showing their emotions."
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