‘I don’t want to play’: French star erupts at umpire in fiery scenes

A veteran tennis star was left seeing red at the US Open as he took aim at the chair umpire in a lengthy and fiery outburst.

French tennis star Gael Monfils threatened to walk off the court in fiery scenes during his second round clash at the US Open.

Monfils was no match for the eighth ranked Casper Ruud who claimed the 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 victory to advance.

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But the contest almost ended far earlier when Monfils was left blowing up at the chair umpire following the second set.

After going down two sets to love, Monfils sat on his chair taking time to try and focus himself in preparation for a comeback.

The former world number six changed his shirt, bandages on his fingers and even went to replace his wristbands.

But as he walked back out onto the court he realised he had forgotten his wristbands and quickly ran back to his bench to grab them.

The chair umpire however wasn’t allowing it and slapped the 37-year-old with a time violation, a decision that did not go down well with the star Frenchman.

Monfils was left fuming at the chair umpire. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Monfils approached the chair umpire and began his tirade as he scolded him for handing down the violation.

“This one is unnecessary,” he said.

“Why would you give me a time violation? For which reason? It is not necessary.

“I took my time. Can you (the supervisor) come on the court because I don’t understand?

“I changed my shirt, I changed my bandage … then I go and you give me a time violation for this?

“I don’t want to play under these conditions!”

As the supervisor walked out, Monfils was left seething as his tirade continued.

“I change my shirt, I change my bandage, I forgot to put my wristband on … it’s for the fact I’m always correct, I’ve never had this and then you tell me this,” he said.

“I don’t want to play anymore, he (chair umpire) take off my motivation.”

The French star was left seeing red. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Monfils’ US Open campaign came to an end. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Despite stating he had lost his motivation, Monfils bounced back in the third set as he claimed it in dominant fashion.

The fourth set became a hard-fought battle, but in the end it was Ruud who reigned supreme and booked his spot in the third round.

The 25-year-old Norwegian has never made it past the third round at the US Open but has a big opportunity to make a deep run in 2024.

He’ll go up against China’s Juncheng Shang, another unseeded player, before a potential fourth round matchup against 12th seeded American Taylor Fritz.

Originally published as ‘I don’t want to play’: French star erupts at umpire in fiery scenes