Holger Rune allegedly called for a French Open spectator to be kicked out of the crowd during his match, claiming that the fan was “aggressive”, that he “didn’t feel safe” and the player would forfeit if they were not removed. A tournament supervisor came to the court as a visibly angry Rune vented his frustration to the official.
Rune was involved in a confrontation between points as he accused a crowd member of grabbing his towel when he tried to return it to his box, before launching into a tirade with the umpire Adel Nour. Nour did not decide to eject the fan, however, seemingly content that Rune’s protests were not enough reason to take action.
Courtside microphones did not pick up the extent of Rune’s conversation, as he served to stay in the third set after he and Quentin Halys split the first two, though the Dane could be heard saying “he tried to touch the towel.”
As he walked to the back of the court, Rune threw his towel down in anger and remonstrated with the supporter, who held his arms aloft in defence of any alleged actions.
TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins explained: “Well the conversation between Holger Rune and the umpire Adel Nour continues about the spectator who tried to grab, did grab, Rune’s towel as he took it back to his box courtside. Rune said that he wouldn’t play again until the spectator had been ejected.
“He said that he didn’t feel safe, that the guy was getting aggressive. Spectator is still in his seat, and here is Rune serving to stay in this third set…
“I assume that is at the umpire’s discretion and it would appear that Adel Nour has decided that as much as Rune is upset about it, annoyed about it, it is not enough to kick the spectator out.”
Though security was not called by Nour, the fan in question did appear to leave the court through his own volition, with Rune willing to carry on playing the third-round contest.
Rune was unable to channel his frustration into a positive result on court, however, as Halys took the third set and a sizable advantage at Roland Garros.
Earlier in the match, the 22-year-old Danish star produced one of the shots of the tournament, ending an exchange at the net by going around the post and sending the Philippe-Chatrier crowd into raptures.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk