Chris Evert’s ex-husband, John Lloyd, recently spoke out about the “horrendous” behavior of fans at the French Open, while also praising American tennis player Taylor Fritz for his response to the unruly crowd. Lloyd, a former professional tennis player and current sports commentator, shared his thoughts during a Tennis Podcast called Inside-In with Mitch Michals.
According to Lloyd, French crowds have long been known for their volatile nature. Lloyd’s comments shed light on the extent of their behavior. Lloyd, a seasoned tennis professional and former British Davis Cup captain, did not mince his words.
John Lloyd criticizes the French Open audience, praises young American’s response
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In the podcast, Lloyd didn’t hold back his feelings about the audience at the French Open, stating, “Let’s face it, French crowds are the worst of the slams. They are horrendous fans, not all of them but a larger part of them. They even turn on their own players if their own players are not playing well.”
Lloyd went on to highlight an incident involving Taylor Fritz, who faced off against French player Arthur Rinderknech at the French Open 2023. After Fritz’s victory, which ended Rinderknech’s run and left no Frenchmen in the tournament, the crowd at the stadium began booing and whistling relentlessly. In response, Fritz defiantly told the audience to “shush” over and over again.
Lloyd commended Taylor Fritz for his response, calling him a “warrior” and expressing his admiration for the young American’s resilience. “What they did to Taylor Fritz is disgraceful as well. But I love Taylor Fritz’s reaction too,” Lloyd stated. “He’s a warrior and he loved that challenge.”
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Lloyd’s response on embracing the challenge and defying critics
Lloyd stated that there were critics who questioned Fritz’s decision to engage with the crowd, suggesting it could backfire in the next round.
“There were people criticizing him like why would you do that, you’re only gonna stir them up for the next round. I am like So what? When you’re in France against a Frenchman, anything can happen. They can turn on you at any stage, so take them back on which is exactly what Taylor did,” Lloyd stated, brushing off the concerns.
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Will the incident at the French Open be a defining moment in Fritz’s career, demonstrating his ability to thrive under pressure and his unwavering determination to succeed?
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