Roland-Garros Roundup: Sexism Fine, Denied Incident, and Coach Exit
Vallejo Fined for Sexist Remarks Against Chair Umpire
Paraguayan tennis player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has been hit with a significant fine by the French Tennis Federation after making derogatory comments about a female umpire following his second-round loss at the French Open.
Vallejo lost his match to Moise Kouame and subsequently criticized chair umpire Ana Carvalho. He argued that the match, which he described as demanding, required a male official to control the crowd.
"Such matches should be officiated by men."
— Adolfo Daniel Vallejo
Organizers and the Federation swiftly condemned the remarks as “unacceptable.”
In a firm statement, they declared that an umpire’s competence is not determined by gender. While the exact fine amount was not disclosed, it is notable that players reaching the second round earn €130,000 in prize money, suggesting the penalty will be substantial.
Vallejo also complained about crowd behavior and accused his opponent of time-wasting.
Jodar Denies Pushing Ball Girl
Rafael Jodar has denied accusations that he pushed a ball girl during his match, a claim that circulated following the incident.
Jodar insists there was no contact, stating that the ball girl simply stumbled on a court cover. The player, who has advanced to the fourth round, maintains the incident was an unfortunate accident, not an intentional act.
Coach Departs via Text Message
Mariano Puerta, the coach of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, has left the tournament abruptly—communicating his departure via text message.
Puerta, a former Roland-Garros runner-up with a history of doping bans, claims he was told to leave by the player’s team. Conversely, Davidovich Fokina has reportedly expressed regret over hiring Puerta in the first place, painting a picture of a fractured professional relationship.