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Jun 16, 20261
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BBC Cuts Short Interview with Tennis Player Corentin Moutet After Seven Live Swear Words
Corentin Moutet's BBC interview at the Queen's Club Championships was cut short after the French tennis player swore seven times live on air following his second-round victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Moutet, who also caused controversy by refusing to continue play the previous evening, later claimed on social media that he was joking and faces a potential fine for his conduct.
Quick Facts
Who
Corentin Moutet
What
Moutet defeated Mpetshi Perricard in second-round match
When
Monday evening (match suspended)
Where
Queen's Club Championships
- Moutet defeated Mpetshi Perricard in second-round match
- Match suspended due to darkness on Monday evening with Moutet leading 2-1 in third set
- Play resumed and Moutet won the match
- Post-match BBC interview with Jenny Drummond
- Moutet swore seven times during interview
The BBC was forced to terminate a live interview with French tennis player Corentin Moutet at the Queen's Club Championships in London after he repeatedly swore on air. The incident occurred following Moutet's second-round victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a match that had spanned two days after darkness halted play on Monday evening with Moutet leading 2-1 in the third set.
During the courtside interview with BBC presenter Jenny Drummond, Moutet initially provided composed remarks about his opponent and the challenging match conditions. However, when discussing a 142mph second serve from Mpetshi Perricard, he let slip a swear word while explaining his frustration. After Drummond gently warned him against further profanity, Moutet repeated the expletive multiple times in succession, prompting Drummond to apologize to viewers and cut the interview short.
The 27-year-old world No. 36 later posted on social media claiming he was joking and hoped viewers were not offended. He is expected to face a fine for his conduct. The incident was not isolated to the interview; earlier, Moutet had refused to continue playing on Monday evening as light faded, arguing with the supervisor and chair umpire before ultimately getting the match suspended. BBC analyst Annabel Croft criticized his behaviour, noting he had left the court for an extended period and then refused to play further despite being ahead in the match. Moutet has advanced to the third round, where he will face either Cameron Norrie or fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Topics
Why This Matters
This incident highlights ongoing issues with player conduct and on-air profanity in professional sports broadcasting. It raises questions about tournament discipline, media protocols for live interviews, and how governing bodies enforce behavioral standards. For broadcasters and sports networks, it underscores the need for safeguards during post-match coverage, while for tennis fans and stakeholders, it demonstrates the reputational and financial consequences of unsportsmanlike behavior.