Corentin Moutet Miami meltdown: Clash with Tabilo and fans
Frenchman Corentin Moutet, ATP No. 76, showed his on-court antics that led to confrontation and crowd unrest at the Miami Open.
In a dramatic second-round encounter at the Miami Open, Corentin Moutet faced Alejandro Tabilo in a match that quickly escalated beyond standard play. The tension peaked in the second set when Moutet, leading by a break, began gesturing provocatively towards the predominantly Chilean-supporting crowd each time Tabilo faltered. The spectators responded with increasing hostility, culminating in one fan making an obscene gesture towards Moutet during Tabilo’s set point. This incident led to a heated exchange between Moutet and the crowd, disrupting the match’s flow and drawing attention away from the on-court action.
The situation further deteriorated in the third set when Tabilo was serving at 5-3. Moutet sarcastically celebrated a first-serve fault by Tabilo, mocking the crowd by chanting “Chile, Chile, Chile.” As Tabilo reached set point, Moutet refused to continue playing, arguing with the chair umpire and ultimately receiving a point penalty that awarded the set to Tabilo. The Frenchman’s antics prolonged the match, creating a tense atmosphere that overshadowed the competitive spirit of the game.
Drama in Miami 🫣#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/AhXu2E3kGY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 21, 2025
This incident adds to Moutet’s history of on-court controversies. Earlier this year, he was fined $15,000 at the Australian Open for unsportsmanlike conduct during his second-round match against Mitchell Krueger. Such recurring behavior raises concerns about sportsmanship and the impact of player conduct on the integrity of the sport.
Inside the Baseline…
Moutet’s antics may have overshadowed the tennis itself, but they also highlighted the fine line between passion and provocation. There’s a difference between feeding off the energy of a hostile crowd and actively inciting them, and Moutet seemed determined to test that boundary. While some might call it gamesmanship, it felt more like unnecessary theater, shifting the spotlight away from a high-quality match and onto the chaos he created. Moments like these might generate headlines, but they rarely earn respect, especially when they leave a match feeling more like a spectacle than a sport.
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