Jaume Munar expressed strong frustration with the atmosphere created by the French Open crowd during his intense five-set loss to local favorite Arthur Fils. Despite a spirited comeback from two sets down, Munar was defeated 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 0-6, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The Spanish player acknowledged the passionate support for Fils but criticized the crowd’s behavior, which he described as a “circus” that disrupted the flow of the match and showed a “complete lack of respect.”
Throughout the grueling match, the boisterous French fans continuously cheered and sang, making it difficult for Munar to maintain focus. He admitted he is accustomed to intense crowds, having experienced similar environments in South America, but he felt the constant interruptions crossed a line. During the final game, Munar even had to request silence from the audience as he served to stay in the match, highlighting how challenging it was to play under those conditions.
Fils, despite battling a back injury, managed to rally the crowd with his resilience and eventually secured a dramatic victory after four hours and 25 minutes. The home player celebrated by removing his shirt and soaking in the electric atmosphere. However, Munar was clear that while the spectacle may entertain fans, it should not come at the expense of the players’ ability to compete under fair conditions.
Comparing the atmosphere in Paris to other Grand Slam venues, Munar noted that crowds at the US Open and Australian Open balance enthusiasm with respect. He urged for a calmer environment in Paris to allow matches to proceed more smoothly, emphasizing that tennis should not resemble a theatrical show but remain focused on the sport itself. His comments highlighted ongoing debates about crowd behavior and player experience at major tournaments.
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