David Goffin revealed somebody spat chewing gum at him. GETTY IMAGES

Belgium's David Goffin criticised the lack of respect from fans at the French Open. He claimed that someone spat chewing gum at him during his first-round win at Roland Garros.

Goffin secured victory over France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 on Tuesday. Following his win on court 14, the 33-year-old responded to boos from the partisan French crowd by cupping his ear.

"Clearly, it goes too far, it's total disrespect. It's really too much," he told reporters. "It's becoming football, soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and there will be fights in the stands. 

"It's starting to become ridiculous. Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere. Someone spat out their chewing gum at me. It was getting complicated. That's why I wanted to stay calm. If I started to get angry about it, it could have destabilised me."

Scheduled to face fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the second round on Thursday, Goffin further remarked, "A lot of people are complaining. A lot of umpires feel that there is a lot of disrespect. This is repeated a lot in the locker room and among the ATP authorities. We're going to have to do something about that.


David Goffin was left seething after somebody spat chewing gum in his direction at the French Open. GETTY IMAGES
David Goffin was left seething after somebody spat chewing gum in his direction at the French Open. GETTY IMAGES


"I think it only happens in France. At Wimbledon, obviously, there's not that. Or in Australia either. At the US Open, it's still rather quiet. Here, it's a really unhealthy atmosphere."

Roland Garros officials have issued a statement urging spectators to conduct themselves appropriately. "The public are incredibly enthusiastic, particularly on the outside courts," it read. "However, they must of course show full respect to all players while doing so.

"Although it is only natural that fans share their excitement and cheer on their favourites, this may not in any case go against the values of tennis or consideration for the players."

Caroline Garcia, France's top-ranked female player, expressed sympathy for Goffin's situation. "Thank God I never experience it and I hope it will never happen again," she said.

"In every sport sometimes there are fans who go too far. We are all here to play tennis and we are all here to watch and enjoy tennis. Even if we have our favourite players, we want to cheer with respect."