Jaume Munar has made explosive accusations after his second-round defeat at the French Open against a local hero. The Spaniard also complained about the French crowd.
Jaume Munar had harsh words for his opponent Arthur Fils and the crowd after his five-set defeat at the French Open.
After the dramatic 6-7, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, 4-6 defeat on Thursday, Munar questioned Fils’ injury at the press conference. The Frenchman had repeatedly complained of back problems, especially in the third set, and taken a medical timeout.
Was Fils not injured at all?
“He was treated by the doctor for an alleged back injury, but I’m convinced it was cramps,” fumed the world number 57. Background: In tennis, you are not allowed to take a medical timeout for cramps – only if you have an injury.
“In this case, he couldn’t have been treated. The break didn’t bother me, but that’s just the way it is,” Munar made clear, accusing Fils of using the injury as an excuse: “If you have a real injury, you don’t play the fifth set like he did.”
In the fifth set, Munar was already leading 3-1 with a break and looked like the sure winner, but the 20-year-old Frenchman somehow managed to turn the match around. This was also because the French crowd cheered Fils on particularly enthusiastically, as is customary for French players at Roland Garros.
“The most annoying and fanatical crowd in the world.”
“I think it’s perfectly fine for them to cheer for the other player—I’m used to it and it doesn’t bother me. They put on a very entertaining show for the crowd,” Munar said initially.
And yet, in the emotional rollercoaster ride on Court Suzanne Lenglen, he was annoyed by the fans because they repeatedly disrupted his concentration with noise before his serves. “They don’t understand that we’re doing our job. It’s the most annoying and fanatical crowd in the world; nationality means too much here.”
Roland Garros: Fils responds to accusations
His opponent, who is unable to play in the third round match against Andrey Rublev due to injury, reacted calmly. “Compared to soccer fans, this is nothing. When you see the attendance figures for the NBA or NFL, this is nothing,” said Fils.
The atmosphere is crazy, “but it’s okay. It’s disciplined. When they make a bit of noise before the serve, it’s always a bit annoying for the opponent, of course. But you have to deal with it, right?” It was no different when he played against up-and-coming youngster Joao Fonseca in Brazil.
“You can’t complain about the crowd. You have no choice. You know it’s there. So I think the French crowd is one of the best, if not the best, and it will stay that way,” said Fils, speaking up for the spectators at his home Grand Slam.
And as for his injury? “I’m a little tired, to be honest. My legs feel a little heavy, but it’s not too bad. I have a few problems with my back, but I’m used to that, and I also have cramps. A little bit of everything. It wasn’t a good mix.”