PARIS — Adolfo Daniel Vallejo faced a hefty fine of $65,000 at the French Open after expressing that a woman’s officiating was inappropriate for his second-round match, as announced by organizers on Monday.
Vallejo experienced a grueling five-set showdown against French rising star Moise Kouame last week, spanning nearly five hours. Post-match, he commented to the tennis outlet Clay, stating, “Such a critical match should have a male umpire.”
Following his nail-biting 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8) defeat, Vallejo remarked, “It’s incredibly challenging for a woman to handle this.”
Players advancing to the second round at the French Open earn €130,000 (approximately C$209,000). Amelie Mauresmo, the director of Roland Garros, informed the media that the fine of approximately €65,000 was equivalent to about half of Vallejo’s prize. Organizers later confirmed that the penalty was issued in dollars, not euros.
Mauresmo commented, “This behavior is clearly unacceptable. Statements like these have no place in our tournament.”
Hailing from Paraguay, Vallejo claimed that the umpire, Ana Carvalho of Brazil, failed to manage the rowdy spectators.
“A man should officiate, especially in front of such a demanding crowd that requires significant authority,” he stated. “The fans were rather unruly, but I get their excitement for their local player. It’s an intense atmosphere, and while it didn’t affect me negatively, it seemed to bolster Kouame.”
Vallejo also accused Kouame of taking excessive breaks, lying on the court and prolonging play.
“It’s not usual for the audience to be shouting for an entire minute with no action. In a match heavily reliant on physical stamina, a player taking too much time can exploit the situation. Frankly, managing this crowd must be tough for any referee.”
