Boris Becker slams French tennis star who faces heavy fine for swearing seven times in BBC interview

Tennis legend Boris Becker slammed French star Corentin Moutet after he swore seven times in a post-match interview that had to be cut short by the BBC.

The incident occurred after Moutet overcame compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in an enthralling first-round match that had to be played over two days.

Mpetshi Perricard edged out his fellow Frenchman in a tight first set that was decided 7-6(5), before Moutet responded with a 6-4 victory in the second set.

Moutet then found himself 2-1 ahead in the deciding set before he insisted that the match should be suspended due to poor visibility. ATP rules suggest a match should only be paused if an even number of games have been played, but the 27-year-old got his way when Mpetshi Perricard agreed to the early postponement.

It meant the first round clash continued on Tuesday, as Moutet eventually triumphed with a 7-6(5) victory of his own to book his place in the second round.

After the win, Moutet was obliged to take part in a post-match interview on court, in which interviewer Jenny Drummond quizzed him on his opponent’s massive second serves.

“That’s so frustrating, you know, when I had the match point, it was on the second serve. Okay, you aim in the middle; whatever you do, just put the ball in the court, and then he hits me at 142 (miles). I was like, f***. I would have to serve and I would have to…”

Drummond then interjected to ask the Frenchman to drop no more F-bombs, but he cheekily replied in an instant by saying the forbidden word a further three times.

“No, no, no, no,” Drummond stated once again as she was forced to apologise to the crowd and the watching audience.

She continued: “Corentin, I’m going to ask you one more question. Apologies, everyone, for the language there. I’m going to ask you one more question, so please keep it clean, okay?”

“You on the grass; last week, unfortunately, didn’t go your way. What’s it like to get your first victory?”

Once again, Moutet replied by repeating the swear word three more times, before Drummond pulled the microphone away and ended the interview on the spot. BBC host Clare Balding also apologised for the language afterwards.

While there were a few laughs from those in the crowd at Queen's Club, many in the tennis community were outraged by the Frenchman's behaviour, particularly after he did it for a third time.

One of those offended was legendary player Becker, who took to social media and simply posted: "What's wrong with the guy?"

In his own social media post, the world number 36 wrote: "I was just joking, I hope you guys didn't get offended. Thanks for the love."

Moutet now faces another fine from the ATP Tour for his expletive-ridden interview. The Frenchman was defaulted from the 2022 Adelaide International for swearing at an umpire, which also saw him dropped by the French Tennis Federation (FFT).