Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has been criticised for saying his French Open second-round match should not have been umpired by a woman as they do not have the “courage” to handle the crowd.
The Paraguayan world number 71 lost to French teenager Moise Kouame on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Thursday, with the 17-year-old receiving vocal support in a near five-hour 6-3 7-5 2-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) victory.
Vallejo criticised umpire Ana Carvalho of Brazil for being unable to control the “annoying” and “disrespectful” crowd.
He also said he was unhappy with how much time Kouame was given in between points.
Players are only allowed to take up to 25 seconds between points, but umpires can use their discretion as to when to start the shot clock while the crowd settles down.
“I think this sort of matches should be umpired by a man,” Vallejo told Clay magazine in an interview listened to and verified by BBC Sport.
“It’s very difficult for a woman to do it because the crowd is very annoying and you need to have a lot of courage to go against the crowd.
“I knew it [the crowd] was going to be like that. It didn’t harm me, it only strengthened him.”
Asked whether having a male umpire would have made a difference, Vallejo added: “Yes, yes, absolutely. The crowd was really disrespectful, but I understand it because they are supporting their home player.”
Vallejo has since taken to social media to defend his comments, stating on X that they have been “taken out of context” and he was referring to Carvalho specifically, rather than all female umpires.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT), who organise the tournament, have been contacted for comment.
