French Open bans alcohol in stands to curb unruly fans

Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed in the stands at Roland Garros on the heels of recent issues with fan behavior during the opening rounds of the French Open.

David Goffin of Belgium claimed a spectator spat chewing gum in his direction following his first-round win over Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Monday. Also, top-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland urged the fans in Paris not to scream during high-pressure situations.

"Alcohol was allowed until now in the stands, but that's over," tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said Thursday. "... If they exceed the limit, if they don't behave well or if they throw things at the players, that's it."

Spectators still will be allowed to drink in the concourse but not near the playing surface. Mauresmo also said the umpires and the security personnel will play a role in keeping fans from becoming unruly.

"Let's see how it goes with the (umpires) being a little bit more strict. Let's see how it goes with the security being also a little bit more strict," she said. "And I don't want to be negative and I'm an optimist. I'm really trying to see that people are going to react in a good way and that it's going to be OK, and if it's not, we will take other the measures."

--Field Level Media