Etcheverry: "It's hard to play here in France, the fans are really supportive of the French players."
Reactions have been multiplying in recent days concerning the attitude of a section of Roland-Garros spectators, who are breaking with the historical codes of tennis in general and Grand Slam tournaments in particular. Loudly supporting the French players, sometimes forgetting to respect their opponents, or getting too carried away with their cheering to the point of shouting during the points, they are starting to seriously annoy some of the players behind the scenes.
Alongside David Goffin's very angry reaction, and Iga Swiatek's courageous and frank one, Tomas Martin Etcheverry also broached the subject. More diplomatically, he explained the difficulty (almost pain, if his body language is anything to go by) of playing against a French player at Roland Garros, and even more generally in France.
At the press conference, the Argentine appeared to be mentally shaken by his match against Arthur Cazaux. He is probably also referring to the fresh memory of his final against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Lyon last Saturday. A final he lost in a fiery atmosphere.
And the story isn't over yet, as he faces another Frenchman, Arthur Rinderknech, this Thursday in the 2nd round of the French Open. A match scheduled on Court 7.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry: "It's difficult to play here in France. I've played many times against French players in France and, you know, their fans really support them a lot. It's normal, I know. But, yes, it's difficult. It's difficult at every moment during the match."
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