FFT fines Vallejo for sexist remarks regarding referee Ana Carvalho
The French Tennis Federation has imposed a significant financial penalty on Adolfo Daniel Vallejo following his comments to Clay magazine, condemning the remarks as unacceptable and affirming that umpire competence is determined by professionalism, not gender.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has announced a significant financial fine for Paraguayan tennis player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, following his publication of sexist remarks concerning female referee Ana Carvalho. The sanction was issued after Vallejo suggested that women lack the necessary courage to officiate matches involving rowdy crowds, comments the governing body has condemned as unacceptable.
The incident occurred in the wake of Vallejo’s five-set second-round defeat to French teenager Moise Kouame at the French Open. The match, played at Court Suzanne Lenglen, lasted four hours and 56 minutes, with Kouame securing victory with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10-8). Vallejo told Clay magazine that the contest should have been umpired by a man, arguing that the atmosphere at the packed venue required a different approach to crowd management.
Vallejo specifically blamed Carvalho for failing to control the home crowd, stating that the spectators were "annoying" and that it is "very difficult for a woman" to go against them. He also accused Kouame of stalling, noting the 17-year-old "took up a lot of time on many occasions, lying on the floor." Vallejo insisted that the crowd’s support only strengthened his opponent, claiming a male umpire would have made an "absolute difference" in managing the disrespectful atmosphere.
In a statement released on Friday, the FFT firmly rejected Vallejo’s justification. The organisation asserted that the competence of an umpire is determined by professionalism and the ability to officiate at the highest level, rather than gender. The FFT emphasised that the outcome of a sporting event, whether positive or negative, can never justify or excuse such remarks, and offered its support to Carvalho and all tournament umpiring officials.
Vallejo later attempted to clarify his position on social media platform X, claiming his comments were taken out of context. He stated he was referring specifically to Carvalho’s crowd management during the match rather than women in general. He added that he did not claim to have lost because of her, noting that it is natural for a crowd to support a home player, and that he had congratulated his opponent on the victory.
