Corentin Moutet’s Controversial Match at Queen’s Club
French tennis player Corentin Moutet added to his controversial reputation during a second-round match at Queen’s Club, engaging in a heated confrontation with the chair umpire, Adel Nour, after losing to British competitor Jacob Fearnley. The match ended with scores of 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Moutet’s Frustrations Boil Over
Known for his fiery temperament on the court, Moutet’s frustrations peaked during the third set. He vocally challenged Nour after receiving a time violation for serving too slowly, adding to an earlier warning for hitting the ball out of play.
During a changeover while trailing 2-5, Moutet confronted the umpire, stating:
“It’s your only job. I am talking to you because I have three balls in my hand.”
He then muttered a derogatory term towards Nour under his breath, expressing his frustrations over perceived injustices in officiating.
History of Conflict
This incident is not Moutet’s first run-in with officials; he faced a default in 2022 for swearing at another umpire and has previously engaged in physical altercations on the court. Earlier this year in Arizona, he had an argument with Alexander Bublik regarding checking readiness to serve.
Match Coverage and Reactions
While the BBC provided live coverage of the match and chose not to apologize for Moutet’s outburst, commentators found humor in the situation. One noted that the longer Moutet stayed on the court, the more trouble he could get into. Despite Moutet’s antics, Fearnley displayed impressive composure, claiming a spot in his first ATP quarter-final and acknowledging that Moutet’s behavior was typical given their past encounters.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Thrilling Match
In a separate match at Queen’s, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz also faced time-keeping issues during his lengthy encounter with Jaume Munar. This match marked one of the longest at the tournament in 34 years, clocking in at 3 hours and 23 minutes. Alcaraz nearly concluded the match earlier but faltered on a crucial match point, allowing Munar to extend the confrontation before Alcaraz ultimately secured victory.
Alcaraz humorously remarked on the prolonged rallies, suggesting the match could have taken place on a clay court instead of grass.
