‘What’s wrong with the guy?’: Star slammed for expletive-laden interview
Updated . First published
It got a chuckle out of most, but some got their noses out of joint over Corentin Moutet’s on-court interview at Queen’s Club, where he swore seven times in quick succession live on the BBC.
The Frenchman faces a fine from the ATP for the interview after defeating compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard in three sets.
Corentin Moutet. BBC
It began as Moutet was asked about Mpetshi-Perricard’s serve on court, when he dropped the first F-bomb.
“I had a match point, I was on the second serve,” Moutet said, “and then he hits me 142 [kph]. I was like, f---, I would have to serve and I would have to…”
The crowd had a laugh, prompting Moutet to pause for an instant, and allow the on-court interviewer to interject with, “No F-bombs, please”.
The world No.36 took it upon himself to reply with three more uses of the in quick succession.
The interviewer was stunned, saying, “No, no, no. Apologies, everyone, for the language there. Right, Corentin. I’m going to ask you one more question. So, please keep it clean, OK?
“You on the grass last week, unfortunately, it didn’t go your way. What’s it like to get your first victory?”
Moutet then reeled off three more swear words in quick succession, leaving the crowd laughing but eliciting an angry response from his interviewer.
“OK, Corentin, we need to improve that for the next round. Apologies, everyone. Corentin Moutet,” the on-court interviewer said.
Back in the BBC studio, commentators clutched their pearls and condemned the Frenchman’s behaviour.
“And just to repeat those apologies for everyone watching BBC Two and iPlayer,” one said.
Another described Moutet’s behaviour as “appalling” while another labelled Moutet’s interview “disrespectful” and “incredibly rude”.
Former world No.1 Boris Becker also criticised the French player, writing on social media: “What’s wrong with the guy?”
In his own social media post, Moutet wrote: “I was just joking, I hope you guys didn’t get offended. Thanks for the love.”
Moutet earned around $62,000 for the victory but is expected to lose a portion of it with a fine by the ATP.
