French Open announces Spectator Rules: No Drinking, No Heckling
The French Open has now spectator rules that restricts the audience from drinking from the stands during the events starting this sunday. The second Grand Slam of 2025 starts on Sunday at Roland Garros will enable the bold rules to restrain boorish behaviour of fans and spectators towards players.
This spectator rule has been devised after a series of incidents on court after fans started intercepting players’ focus and heckling during sets. This led the organisers to tighten security and enforce zero- tolerance policy towards such disruptive behaviour from stands.
The Italian Open had a similar behaviour from fans with Aryna Sablenka, the World No. 1 had to shout back at a fan for heckling at Rome after her Quarter Final defeat to Zheng Qinwen. The crowd became boorish during a match where Clara Tauson played where her double fault resulted in an unruly fan behaviour, as the player had to raise concerns with the umpire.
While alcohol consumption during Roland Garros has been effective from last year, fan behaviour will be noticed for a smooth tournament. “It will be fully renewed this year. You can obviously consume [alcohol] in the aisles. But once you’re on a court, that’s it. And if we notice any incidents, we don’t hesitate to evacuate spectators,” Amélie Mauresmo, the Roland Garros Director said.
Prominent players like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sablenka and Novak Djokovic have in the past reported several unruly fan behaviours which has also led to the French Open authorities in curating the set rules.
Player security and discomfort cannot be compromised with such behaviour from the spectators who have bought the tickets to have a fair match that sprouts sportsmanship and not biased heckling from the stands. The 2025 Roland Garros will be happening from 25 May to 8 June with Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek defending their trophies.
