‘Alcohol banned in stands at French Open, can be consumed in aisles; won't hesitate to evacuate unruly spectators ‘

Indian Express

23-05-2025

Sipping champagne, guzzling beer and dispensing gyaan to tennis pros on how to play, will be barred from the French Open with an alcohol ban in place in the stands at Roland Garros.
In a bold move to combat boorish behavior from spectators, French Open organizers declared a complete ban on alcohol consumption in the stands for this year's tournament. The decision came after a series of disturbing incidents involving fans at recent events, leading to upping the guard and a zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive conduct.
The deteriorating level of fan behaviour continued at the Italian Open over the last fortnight.
At Rome, women's world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka told a fan to 'shut the f*** up' after they heckled her during her quarter-final defeat to Zheng Qinwen. In an earlier round, world No. 22 Clara Tauson was left pleading the umpire to intervene after a crowd member turned unruly after she served a double fault against Mirra Andreeva, and asked, 'Who are you?' The Jakub Menšík – Fábián Marozsán match saw trouble in men's and the French Open chiefs were quick to haul in firm rules for supporters.
Roland Garros director Amélie Mauresmo confirmed a continuation of last year's ban on alcohol consumption and warned that any fan whose behaviour falls below standards will be removed from the stands. Ouest-France quoted her as saying, 'It will be fully renewed this year. You can obviously consume in the aisles. 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.' But the former World No 1 was clear player comfort and safety would not be compromised, even if it meant keeping the corks on the champagne bottles while in the stands.
At last year's tournament at Roland Garros, one supporter allegedly spat chewing gum at Belgian star David Goffin during his win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. That brought on the first mid-event alcohol ban in the stands.
Novak Djokovic, never warming up to crowds after being given grief multiple times by rowdy loudmouths, and known for his vocal criticism of the Roland Garros crowd, responded saying he was relieved at the new ruling, emphasizing on a respectful atmosphere for players.
Previously, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have spoken out against disruptive fans, and Mauresmo made it clear that any unruly fans will be promptly ejected from the premises.
Former French Open champion Mats Wilander was quoted as saying by mirror.co.uk that the shift in fan behavior post-pandemic, was down to heightened emotions and a desire for self-expression. '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,' he said.
Mauresmo, the former World No 1 was clear player comfort and safety would not be compromised, even if it meant keeping the corks on the champagne bottles while in the stands. Sports spectatorship demands a more disciplined and decorous approach from attendees, which the French Open is determined to enforce rigorously, as per mirror.