Frenchman Corentin Moutet was fined $40,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he swore seven times in less than a minute during a recent on-court interview, the ATP announced on Friday.
Moutet let the expletives fly on Tuesday following his 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (5) win over countryman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during the first round at Queen’s Club in London.
“Moutet has confirmed that he will appeal the fine in accordance with ATP rules,” an ATP statement said. “The appeal will be reviewed by the ATP Tour Compliance Committee. No further comment will be made while the appeal process is ongoing.”
When BBC interviewer Jenny Drummond asked him about facing a 142-mph second serve from Mpetshi Perricard, Moutet appeared to let his first swear slip out.
“That’s so frustrating you know. When I had match point, I was on the second serve. OK, you aim in the middle, whatever you do, just put the ball in the court,” the 27-year-old said. “And then he hits me 142 and I was like, ‘f–. I will have to serve …'”
Drummond promptly asked Moutet to avoid the foul language, to which the player repeated the curse word three more times.
She repeated her plea before asking another question, only to be met with Moutet using the same swear word in succession.
Per the ATP Rulebook, “a player shall not use an audible obscenity while on-site. Audible obscenity is defined as the use of words commonly known and understood to be profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard.
“Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $5,000 for each violation. … In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this section shall also constitute the player Major Offense of Aggravated Behavior.”
Moutet received approximately $43,500 for reaching the second round of the tournament.
He is ranked No. 36 in the world and has yet to win an ATP Tour title.
–Field Level Media
