Liam Broady, the 5th ranked men’s singles tennis player, has voiced his approval for the newly implemented alcohol ban at the French Open and has shed light on the disruptive conduct of certain spectators at the event. Broady, who is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury, has been closely monitoring the tournament and has witnessed incidents where spectators have exhibited unacceptable behavior.
Broady has acknowledged that the behaviour of some fans has been “getting out of hand” and has cited instances such as Belgian player David Goffin being spat at with chewing gum and reigning champion Iga Swiatek being disturbed by shouting during points. The tournament organizers have responded to these incidents by putting a ban on alcohol in the stands, a measure that Broady deems necessary given the circumstances.
During a recent appearance on talkSPORT Breakfast, Broady shared his opinions on the disorderly conduct of certain spectators at the French Open. He emphasized that while tennis players thrive in a supportive and lively atmosphere, some remarks from the crowd have been personal and have crossed the line.
Broady drew a comparison between the influence of crowd support in tennis and in football, stressing the advantage it can provide to players when the crowd is behind them. He also highlighted the challenges faced by players in dealing with personal abuse from the crowd, recounting a personal experience where he had to request the umpire to remove disruptive fans from the stands during a previous French Open.
According to Broady, the disruptive conduct of some fans has been an ongoing issue at the French Open, with certain individuals attending the event with the intention of causing disturbances rather than observing and appreciating the sport. He expressed his apprehension that the umpires seem to have limited control over such situations, indicating a need for improved enforcement of spectator etiquette at the event.
While acknowledging the positive impact of an enthusiastic crowd, Broady stressed the importance of upholding respect and sportsmanship in the stands. With the tennis community voicing support for the alcohol ban and advocating for enhanced spectator etiquette, there is hope that future tournaments, including the French Open, will offer a secure and enjoyable environment for players and fans alike.