Controversy Over Umpiring at French Open Match

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo expressed dissatisfaction with the umpiring during his French Open match against 17-year-old Moïse Kouame. Vallejo suggested that a man should have officiated the game, as he believes women find it challenging to handle a demanding crowd. Vallejo, 22 and from Paraguay, lost the match in a close fifth set, with scores of 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(8), despite rallying from a two-set deficit.

The match took place on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, known for its vocal crowd support for French players. Vallejo criticized the umpire, Ana Carvalho, for not managing what he described as Kouame’s “stalling tactics” during the match. “This sort of match needs to be umpired by a man,” Vallejo told Clay magazine. He added that officiating such a match requires considerable strength to oppose the crowd’s influence.

In response to Vallejo’s remarks, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and tournament organizers decried his comments as “unacceptable.” They stated, “The competence of an umpire is not determined by their gender, but by their professionalism and ability to officiate at the highest level. The outcome of a sporting event, whether positive or negative, can never justify or excuse such remarks.” They confirmed that Vallejo would receive a fine for his comments.

The Roland-Garros tournament emphasized its support for umpires and condemned all sexist remarks. Vallejo entered the French Open after reaching the round of 32 in the Madrid Open. He currently ranks 71st in ATP singles.

The match marked Kouame’s longest in senior tennis, lasting four hours and 56 minutes in front of a 10,000-strong crowd. Kouame will face Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, ranked No. 36, in the third round.