Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has been criticised for saying his French Open second-round match shouldn’t have been umpired by a lady as they don’t have the “braveness” to deal with the group.
The Paraguayan world quantity 71 misplaced to French teenager Moise Kouame on Court docket Suzanne-Lenglen on Thursday, with the 17-year-old receiving vocal help in a close to five-hour 6-3 7-5 2-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) victory.
Vallejo criticised umpire Ana Carvalho of Brazil for being unable to manage the “annoying” and “disrespectful” crowd.
He additionally stated he was sad with how a lot time Kouame was given in between factors.
Gamers are solely allowed to take as much as 25 seconds between factors, however umpires can use their discretion as to when to start out the shot clock whereas the group settles down.
“I believe this form of matches must be umpired by a person,” Vallejo instructed Clay journal in an interview listened to and verified by BBC Sport.
“It’s extremely tough for a girl to do it as a result of the group may be very annoying and you could have a whole lot of braveness to go in opposition to the group.
“I knew it [the crowd] was going to be like that. It did not hurt me, it solely strengthened him.”
Requested whether or not having a male umpire would have made a distinction, Vallejo added: “Sure, sure, completely. The group was actually disrespectful, however I perceive it as a result of they’re supporting their residence participant.”
Vallejo has since taken to social media to defend his feedback, stating on X that they’ve been “taken out of context” and he was referring to Carvalho particularly, somewhat than all feminine umpires.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT), who organise the match, have been contacted for remark.
