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Adolfo Daniele Vallejo has been criticized for saying his French Open second-round match should not be umpired by a woman because they don’t have the “courage” to handle the crowd.
The Paraguayan world number 71 lost to French teenager Moise Koum on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Thursday, with the 17-year-old receiving vocal support as she cruised to a 6-3 7-5 2-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) victory in almost five hours.
Vallejo criticized Brazilian umpire Ana Carvalho for not being able to control the “disturbing” and “disrespectful” crowd.
He also said he was unhappy with the amount of time Koumey was given between points.
Players are only allowed up to 25 seconds between points, but umpires can use their discretion about when to start the shot clock when the crowd settles down.
“I think these types of matches should be umpired by one person,” Vallejo told Clay magazine in an interview heard and verified by BBC Sport.
“It’s very difficult for a woman to do that because the crowd is so boring and you have 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 hurt me, it made him stronger.”
Asked if having a male umpire would have made a difference, Vallejo added: “Yes, yes, absolutely. The crowd was really disrespectful, but I understand that because they are supporting their home player.”
Vallejo took to social media to defend her comments, telling X that they were “taken out of context” and that she specifically referred to Carvalho rather than all female umpires.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT), which organizes the tournament, has been contacted for comment.
