'There's a line': Alex de Minaur fumes over nasty French Open act
Alex de Minaur has taken aim at French Open fans who he says 'crossed the line' during his loss to Hugo Gaston at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Australia's No.1 player was bundled out of the clay-court major at the first hurdle in a four-hour, five-set epic against his French opponent.
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De Minaur had to deal with boos and jeers throughout the match from the patriotic home fans, whose songs and cheers for 21-year-old Gaston helped propel the Olympic youth champion to a 4-6 6-2 6-3 0-6 7-6 (10-4) triumph.
While not complaining about the "away Davis Cup match atmosphere" which he normally thrives on, De Minaur was left clearly upset by the behaviour of some fans.
"There's a difference between a great atmosphere and supporting your fellow countryman, which is completely fine and it's great," said the Sydneysider.
"I'm sure for him it was an amazing atmosphere. He enjoyed every second of it, but there's a line...
"When I'm getting told things by people in the crowd, making eye contact with me after I hit a double fault, I think there's a certain line that needs to be looked at."
Asked to elaborate, the Aussie said: "I'd rather not get into what was being said."
But he was completely shattered by the loss after his best-ever clay-court season.
"Ideally, I will sleep tonight and forget all about it, but I have a feeling that won't be the case," he said.
"What I have got to do now is put this behind me. Easier said than done but I will do my best."
The exit of the 19th seed and Australia's top hope leaves Jason Kubler as the only man left in the second-round draw.
Australia's top two women Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Saville have also made it past the first round.
Alex de Minaur's shock first-round exit
At 3-0 up in the final set, it looked as if de Minaur would join the last-64 crew, seemingly on his way to a magnificent comeback win from two sets to one down.
A frustrated Gaston stamped on his own racquet at the changeover, snapping it in half.
But spurred on by the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd, the new young idol then announced himself on Roland Garros's second court.
Clearly cramping, the stocky leftie went for broke, delivering an array of swashbuckling shots, delicate winners and even an underarm serve to steal a point.
But when the French youngster twice had the chance to serve for the match, de Minaur denied him each time.
"Hey, maybe it did; maybe it didn't. I don't know," he shrugged when asked if the crowd affected him the fifth-set breaker.
"What I know is I didn't play my best tennis when I needed in the super-buster. It's a shame."
De Minaur joined compatriot John Millman, whose French Open misery continued with him falling for the sixth time in the first round at Roland Garros.
Handed another wretched first-round draw, Millman fought bravely against rising American Sebastian Korda, who had just too much power and quality in a 6-1 7-5 7-6 (8-6) win.
Millman saved three match points and was on the verge of taking the match into a fourth set before the No.27 seed finally advanced.
with AAP
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