Roland Garros has announced a significant fine against Paraguayan tennis player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo following his controversial remarks about a female chair umpire. Vallejo, who was defeated by Moise Kouame in a grueling second-round match, suggested that such matches should be officiated by men due to the demanding nature of the crowd.

Vallejo’s Remarks and Tournament Response

In an interview with Clay Magazine, Vallejo stated, “Matches like this have to be umpired by a man; it’s very difficult for a woman to do it.” He further commented on the strength required to handle the intense crowd, which he felt was biased in favor of the French player Kouame.

In response, Roland Garros organizers condemned Vallejo’s remarks as “unacceptable” and emphasized that the competence of an umpire is determined by professionalism, not gender. They expressed their support for the umpire involved and all officials at the tournament.

The Match and Its Aftermath

Vallejo’s match against the 17-year-old Kouame extended into a lengthy fifth-set tiebreaker. Despite a strong comeback from a two-set deficit, Vallejo was unable to secure victory. He attributed part of Kouame’s success to the overwhelming support from the home crowd, suggesting that the outcome might have been different in another city.

Vallejo remarked, “I think if we were playing in another city, he would have lost,” highlighting the impact of the crowd’s energy on Kouame’s performance.

CNN has reached out to Vallejo for further comment on the situation.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.