"Imagine if an American player did this at US Open" - Tennis fans question Lucas Pouille leading French Open crowd in singing national anthem

Lucas Pouille commemorated his first win at a Grand Slam tournament in four years by leading the supportive crowd in an emotional rendition of the French national anthem.After securing his place in the French Open main draw by defeating Jurij Rodionov, the Frenchman defeated lucky loser Rodionov once more, winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. In doing so, the World No. 675 became the second lowest-ranked player to advance to the second round at the claycourt Major.The record for being the lowest ranked player is currently held by World No. 762 Pablo Cuevas, who reached the second round in 2013.The emotional significance of Lucas Pouille's victory was palpable. After the match he joined the crowd on Court 14 in a passionate rendition of 'La Marseillaise,' the French National anthem.Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲2986292Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxSeveral tennis fans, however, claimed that if an American player had made a similar patriotic gesture, it would not have been received positively.&quot;If he was American... the comments would look so different. For me this is not normal behaviour tbh,&quot; a fan tweeted.Nawal@NawalNadalIf he was American… the comments would look so different.For me this is not normal behaviour tbh twitter.com/bastienfachan/…Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲34289Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxIf he was American… the comments would look so different.For me this is not normal behaviour tbh twitter.com/bastienfachan/…&quot;I don't have a problem with this but can you imagine the tweets if an American player did this at us open lol,&quot; another fan chimed in.NoFirstName claycourtdal@samstennnisI don't have a problem with this but can you imagine the tweets if an American player did this at us open lol twitter.com/BastienFachan/…Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲12290Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxI don't have a problem with this but can you imagine the tweets if an American player did this at us open lol twitter.com/BastienFachan/…Other fans highlighted the apparent hypocrisy of the French Open crowd. They booed Marta Kostyuk when she refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka, but joined in with Pouille's patriotic display.&quot;So the French go from booing Kostyuk for patriotism for her homeland under attack to singing their anthemn which was written while their country was under attack. Go figure,&quot; a fan posted.She’s Come Undone ✨🇺🇦@PatriciaSoll1So the French go from booing Kostyuk for patriotism for her homeland under attack to singing their anthemn which was written while their country was under attack. Go figure. twitter.com/bastienfachan/…Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲1289Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxSo the French go from booing Kostyuk for patriotism for her homeland under attack to singing their anthemn which was written while their country was under attack. Go figure. twitter.com/bastienfachan/…&quot;Yeah, imagine the same people boowing a player from another country. A country that is being bombed and destroyed as we speakk. And a player doesn't want to shake hands with a player of theb countries doing the killing. Just imagine... Oh wait...,&quot; another fan commented.Mihai C.@coChioru@RelevantTennis Yeah, imagine the same people boowing a player from another country. A country that is being bombed and destroyed as we speak. And a player that doesn't want to shake hands with a player from one of theb countries doing the killing. Just imagine... Oh wait...1@RelevantTennis Yeah, imagine the same people boowing a player from another country. A country that is being bombed and destroyed as we speak. And a player that doesn't want to shake hands with a player from one of theb countries doing the killing. Just imagine... Oh wait...Here are a few more fan reactions:Eric@ontologyofsumudI was happy for him but then this… Need the French to pay reparations to Haiti and all their former colonies in Africa twitter.com/bastienfachan/…Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲2289Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxI was happy for him but then this… Need the French to pay reparations to Haiti and all their former colonies in Africa twitter.com/bastienfachan/…Skihippy loves flops@skihippy@NawalNadal If people started singing the Austrian anthem in an Austrian tennis match I would never stop cringing2@NawalNadal If people started singing the Austrian anthem in an Austrian tennis match I would never stop cringingDivinity Mode 🇺🇦@jaketennisnut@BastienFachan I couldn’t be happier for the guy. Seriously. But the national anthem? Zut alors.10@BastienFachan I couldn’t be happier for the guy. Seriously. But the national anthem? Zut alors.井蛙堂@seiadoumogeraSeems like more of the final than the first round for French tennis, at least to some extent twitter.com/BastienFachan/…Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲2290Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxSeems like more of the final than the first round for French tennis, at least to some extent twitter.com/BastienFachan/…PG@pathikgamana97Love Pouille but this is weird lmao twitter.com/bastienfachan/…Bastien Fachan@BastienFachanLucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲1290Lucas Pouille singing La Marseillaise (French National Anthem) with the Roland-Garros crowd on Court 14 to celebrate his first Grand Slam win in four years 🥲 https://t.co/JhbvWZutfxLove Pouille but this is weird lmao twitter.com/bastienfachan/…Lucien Henrioulle@3880Lu@RelevantTennis Yes, but this is to much this theater....@RelevantTennis Yes, but this is to much this theater....&quot;I have to focus again and get prepared and try to go to reach the third round&quot; - Lucas Pouille on upcoming French Open 2R clashLucas Pouille through to the second round at the 2023 French Open.Following his win, Lucas Pouille admitted that he was looking forward to his two days of rest ahead of his second-round match on Wednesday, May 31.&quot;Of course, you know, there are a lot of emotions,&quot; he said. &quot;There's the physical fatigue and also the mental fatigue, so tomorrow is going to feel good. I'm going to be able to watch some matches. I'm going to be able to stay with my family and enjoy being with them.&quot;Pouille mentioned that he would redirect his focus and concentrate on preparing himself for the next match once he got to know his opponent.&quot;Then when I know my next opponent, then I have to focus again and get prepared and try to go to reach the third round,&quot; he added.Lucas Pouille will take on the winner of the match between Benoit Paire and Cameron Norrie, which is scheduled for Monday, May 29.