The French Open, the second Grand Slam tournament of 2025, has banned alcohol consumption in the stands during this year’s event, starting Sunday.
The organisers of the French Open have taken this bold step to combat boorish behaviour from spectators towards players.The decision follows a series of disturbing incidents involving fans at recent tournaments, prompting the organisers to increase security and enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive conduct.In the past fortnight, fan behaviour became a major talking point at the Italian Open in Rome, where women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka told a fan to “shut the f*** up” after being heckled during her quarter-final defeat to Zheng Qinwen.In another episode of harassment by fans, world No. 22 Clara Tauson was seen pleading with the umpire to intervene after a crowd member turned unruly when she served a double fault against Mirra Andreeva, asking, “Who are you?” Other matches, including the one between Jakub Menšík and Fábián Marozsán, also experienced disturbances. The French Open organisers do not want to take any risks, hence the new rule has come into force.Roland Garros director Amélie Mauresmo confirmed that last year’s ban on alcohol consumption in the stands would remain in effect. She warned that fans whose behaviour falls below acceptable standards will be ejected from the stadium. “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,” Mauresmo said.”I also think that the post-Covid period has given people the desire to express themselves differently and more fully, to let go. And not just at sporting events.” But the former World No. 1 was clear that player comfort and safety would not be compromised, even if it meant keeping the corks on the champagne bottles while in the stands.At last year’s French Open, a spectator allegedly spat chewing gum at Belgian star David Goffin during his win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. That incident triggered the first mid-event alcohol ban in the stands.In the past, Novak Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion, has criticised the Roland Garros crowd. Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have also spoken out against unruly fan behaviour.