French tennis player Corentin Moutet has once again found himself at the center of controversy, following an incident at the Miami Masters. The 25-year-old world No. 76 has been under scrutiny for an altercation with the audience and fellow player Alejandro Tabilo, which led to him refusing to continue the match, and subsequently losing the second set.
This drama unfolded during the tournament’s second round, where Moutet was leading by one set but was trailing 3-5 in the second. According to reports, the trouble began when Moutet engaged in a verbal exchange with a group of spectators, who were allegedly provoking him. The Frenchman took exception to one particular reaction from the crowd, which resulted in him halting his play. This act of defiance earned him a point penalty and cost him the second set.
However, the drama didn’t end there. Before the commencement of the third set, Moutet started a heated argument with not just the chair umpire and the supervisor, but also his opponent, Tabilo. The altercation escalated to such an extent that Moutet was slapped with an obscenity code violation, which led to an automatic game penalty. Unfazed by the consequences, Moutet proceeded to the section of the audience that was allegedly instigating him and continued his standoff.
Following the resumption of the game, Tabilo seized the opportunity and turned the tables on Moutet, completing a 5-7 6-3 7-5 comeback victory. The Chilean player and his supporters celebrated the win with fervor and enthusiasm.
In the aftermath of the incident, Moutet made a statement on Instagram, claiming that his only request was for the officials to eject a disrespectful spectator who had shown him the middle finger. He expressed regret over his reaction and promised not to repeat the same in the future.
This incident with the audience comes hot on the heels of another controversy involving Moutet and Alexander Bublik at the Phoenix Challenger match the previous week. In that instance, Bublik had challenged Moutet to meet him “outside in 10 minutes,” adding to the French player’s growing list of controversies.
Moutet’s recent behavior has put him in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons. It remains to be seen how these incidents will affect his career and image in the long run. One thing is certain – his actions at the Miami Masters have made headlines worldwide and have stirred up a fresh debate about player behavior and sportsmanship in professional tennis.