US tennis pro Taylor Fritz clashed with the French crowd during his second-round win over local hero Arthur Rinderknech at the French Open.
Immediately after the converted match point, the 25-year-old repeatedly put his index finger on his lips late Thursday evening in Paris.
The American was loudly booed for this, and the winner’s interview with former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli could not begin for a long time because of the expressions of displeasure.
“I love you, I love you,” scoffed Fritz in his answer to the only question after the 2:6, 6:4, 6:3, 6:4. “The crowd was so amazing, they pushed me. They pushed me so much that I wanted to make sure I win.” Girlfriend Morgan Riddle captured the scene on camera from the stands.
The spectators had already cheered for Rinderknech during the game and turned against Fritz. The night of the world rankings had to wait again and again to serve in the last set because the spectators didn’t want to calm down.