Moutet, Andreev fined for post-match altercation

The pair were penalised after they almost came to blows after their Challenger Tour match in Orleans last month

Moutet, Open Steria 2022 – © Sandrine Thesillat / Panoramic

October 5, 2022

Frenchman Corentin Moutet and Bulgarian Adrian Andreev have both been fined for their altercation immediately after their last-16 battle at the Orleans Challenger last month.

Both men were fined 10,000 Euros each for the on-court incident, while Moutet received a further 5,000 Euro fine for his behaviour off the court after the match, the ATP confirmed to Tennis Majors.

It was an image that quickly made the rounds on social networks. On 29 September 2022, Moutet and Andreev had to be separated by the chair umpire as they squared up after the handshake.

The Frenchman, who was beaten by his opponent 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(2), quickly reacted on his Instagram account by explaining that the Bulgarian had openly insulted him and challenged him throughout the match.

On Tuesday October 4, Andreev reacted on Instagram by revealing a video of the warm-up between the two players in Orleans. It shows Moutet hitting him very hard with the ball while the Bulgarian was on the move.

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Andreev on Moutet: “He kept provoking me”

Andreev accused the Frenchman of having started the hostilities before the match even started.

“During the match I felt really bad,” he said. “He kept provoking me. In Italy (in their previous meeting), he started talking to me and saying “what’s your problem?” I didn’t have a problem with him. I beat him, and he told me to fuck off, at the net. He has a problem with me but I don’t have a problem with him…” the Bulgarian explained in a press conference.

In L’Equipe, Corentin Moutet’s coach then tried to defuse the situation by explaining that the two players had not fought later on after the match. “I know they wanted to meet after the match but there was no explanation or physical contact. We didn’t let them get close.”