The director of Roland-Garros Amélie Mauresmo announced Thursday that measures were being taken to try to prevent inappropriate behavior from supporters, after complaints in particular from Iga Swiatek and David Goffin, while hoping that the public could show their joy.
“We will be uncompromising on respect for the players, on respect for the game”
“We are happy to see that there is an atmosphere, emotions and that the spectators are there. On the other hand, we will be uncompromising on respect for the players, on respect for the game,” declared Amélie Mauresmo. “If there is the slightest behavior beyond the limit, that will be the way out,” she said while recognizing that being able to “identify the person is not always easy.” Instructions were thus given to “ensure that there is this atmosphere, this energy, this enthusiasm, that is very positive, but that the limits are respected”, she insisted.
Thus, alcohol will now be prohibited in the stands and security as well as referees will be much more severe against troublemakers, announced Amélie Mauresmo. A person caught throwing something at a player – Goffin complained that a spectator threw chewing gum at him during his first round match against Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard – will be immediately evacuated, “he there will be no hesitation,” she said. For a person who is heckling, the tournament director gives the game referee the freedom to assess the situation, while asking him to be more severe.
Iga Swiatek lectured the audience at Le Chatrier on Wednesday after her victory against Naomi Osaka, accusing her of making noise during the exchanges. “There will inevitably be situations where it will be appreciation. Throwing something at a player is out, we’re out. Expressing ourselves during a point is no, we’ll try to limit that to the as much as possible. The referees have even tighter, even more precise instructions on the fact that you have to control your audience. It’s also the role of the referee to manage that,” said Amélie. Mauresmo.