"People are spitting on players" - Fans reject Mark Petchey's take on French Open's handling of controversies driving away 'young people' from tennis

Multiple controversies at the ongoing French Open have compelled the claycourt Major's organizers to issue a new rule for crowds attending matches. British former ATP player Mark Petchey, who currently works as a tennis analyst and commentator, took a swipe at the sport's authorities after the developments in Paris. However, the Brit's take did not go down well with the majority of tennis fans.

The first controversy at Roland Garros this year involved former ATP World No. 7 David Goffin. The Belgian defeated Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a five-set thriller in the first round on Tuesday, May 28. Later, Goffin alleged that the crowd had repeatedly resorted to verbally insulting him during the match. The Belgian even claimed that an unruly crowd member had spat gum at him.

The very next day, another controversy erupted on the women's side. This time around, it was WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek who, during an on-court interview following her narrow win over Naomi Osaka, urged the crowd to stay silent when points are being contested by players.

In a bid to resolve players' complaints, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has banned people from drinking alcoholic beverages in the stands. Mauresmo has also called on chair umpires to be more vigilant and said that if people attending matches become too unruly, they will be shown the door.

Petchey took to X (formerly Twitter) and claimed that on the one hand, tennis wants to rope in younger audiences, but on the other, it wants crowds to stay reserved during matches.

"Tennis wanting to get younger people watching, tennis also spending most of its time telling crowds to quieten down, don’t make a sound in rally, don’t pick a side too vigorously, don’t drink in your seat but you should also be in that seat continuously from 11am to 7pm," Petchey wrote.

However, fans mostly disagreed with the Brit. One set of fans opined that tennis has no place for a crowd that oversteps the mark in terms of insulting players or disrupting play.

"People are spitting on players, Mark," one fan wrote.

"Tennis has done fine for a hundred years. Trying to turn it into Darts or Football just to attract a few extra kids that could just ruin the experience for the many is not the answer. Those with a short attention span can watch other sports. Missed the mark there Mark," another fan commented.

"It's not about telling the crowds to quieten down or not picking a side "vigorously"... people can do all of those things whilst still showing respect. People can cheer for their favourite loud and proud but to shout abuse, spit at or any other nasty behaviour is not on," another fan chimed in.

Another set of fans opined that the new rule at the French Open has no connection with tennis-seeking younger audiences.

"None of that has anything to do with young people. If you don't have the attention span to watch a match respectfully and patiently, then tennis isn't for you, regardless of age," wrote one fan.

"What's any of this got to do with young people?" asked one fan.

"Young people watching in Petchey’s mind: Spitting on players. Yelling obscenities at players. Screaming during critical moments at players. Fighting with players. Not keeping metal water bottles in their backpacks and letting them fall on players," commented another fan.

"At times you just have to face somebody that is heckling you" - Novak Djokovic on David Goffin reacting to rowdy French Open crowd

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2024 French Open

Novak Djokovic was asked about his thoughts on the Goffin controversy during a press conference. The ATP World No. 1 voiced his support for the Belgian, saying that sometimes, players simply have no option but to stand up to hecklers.

"I support a player standing up against people who are disrespecting and heckling him. It's not always possible to tolerate. Of course it's very much needed, because you don't want to be spending unnecessary energy elsewhere. But at times you just have to face somebody that is heckling you. That's all you can do," Djokovic said.

However, while the Serb fully backed Goffin, Swiatek's words did not go down well with Paula Badosa. The Spaniard disagreed with what the Pole had to say, claiming that Swiatek had the privilege of playing all her matches at Court Philippe-Chatrier, where sounds from the outside courts cannot be heard.

Badosa also said that players competing on the outside courts have to deal with much more noise compared to what Swiatek had to face during her encounter against Osaka.