PARIS — Novak Djokovic's second-round match at the 2024 French Open was briefly interrupted on Wednesday after security personnel intervened to remove a rowdy spectator from Court Philippe-Chatrier. The incident occurred during the third set of Djokovic's clash with Spain's Roberto Carballés Baena, momentarily halting play as officials addressed the disturbance.
The world No. 1, who was leading 6-4, 6-1, 3-1 at the time, appeared visibly frustrated as the fan continued shouting despite repeated warnings from tournament staff. Video footage showed multiple security guards approaching the spectator's seat before escorting them out of the stadium. Djokovic later described the interruption as "unnecessary but handled professionally by the organizers."
Match Disrupted by Persistent Heckling
According to witnesses, the fan had been making loud comments throughout the match, escalating to direct taunts aimed at Djokovic during changeovers. Tournament referee Rémy Azémar confirmed that the individual received "three formal warnings for disruptive behavior" before ejection. The Roland Garros security team acted under Article 10 of the tournament's code of conduct, which prohibits:
- Abusive language toward players or officials
- Persistent interruption of play
- Behavior deemed harmful to the event's integrity
Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion, took the incident in stride, telling reporters afterward: "These situations happen in big stadiums with passionate crowds. What matters is that the officials maintained control without letting it affect the match's outcome." The 24-time Grand Slam winner went on to secure a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory in just under two hours.
Security Protocols Under Scrutiny
The incident has reignited discussions about spectator management at major tennis events. Roland Garros tournament director Amélie Mauresmo defended the response time, stating: "Our team acted within 90 seconds of the final warning, which meets our operational standards for such situations."
Recent Similar Incidents
This marks the third high-profile spectator removal at Roland Garros in the past five years:
- 2022: A fan ran onto Court Suzanne-Lenglen during a Nadal match
- 2021: Multiple spectators were ejected for throwing objects during a night session
- 2019: A drunk fan interrupted play during a Halep quarterfinal
Tennis security expert Marc Dupont noted that while player safety systems have improved, "the challenge lies in balancing an electric atmosphere with appropriate decorum. Major tournaments now employ AI-assisted monitoring systems that can detect aggressive behavior patterns in crowds before incidents escalate." Roland Garros implemented such technology in 2023, with cameras scanning for potential disturbances every 30 seconds.
Player Reactions Mixed
Other players weighed in on the incident during post-match press conferences:
- Carlos Alcaraz: "We need fans to be passionate but respectful. The line gets crossed when players can't concentrate."
- Iga Świątek: "Security should act faster when someone clearly breaks the rules multiple times."
- Daniil Medvedev: "These situations are tricky. Sometimes fans don't realize how loud they're being in big stadiums."
The ATP Players' Council, which Djokovic formerly chaired, is expected to discuss spectator conduct policies at their next meeting. Current council member Vasek Pospisil told Tennis Channel: "We're seeing more borderline behavior post-pandemic. The tours may need to revisit how warnings and ejections are standardized across tournaments."
Tournament Officials Respond
French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton announced additional measures would be implemented for remaining night sessions:
- Increased security personnel in lower bowl sections
- Clearer pre-match announcements about conduct expectations
- Designated security liaisons for each court
Moretton emphasized: "While we want Roland Garros to maintain its unique atmosphere, player safety and match integrity remain non-negotiable. The vast majority of our spectators behave impeccably, but we must address isolated incidents firmly to protect everyone's experience." Tournament statistics show that through the first four days, only 0.03% of attendees had required formal warnings.
As play resumes without further incidents, Djokovic advances to face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in the third round. The Serbian star remains on track in his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, though Wednesday's events serve as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges that can emerge in tennis's biggest arenas.