French tennis player Corentin Moutet has addressed the controversy surrounding his first-round victory at the Australian Open, after being booed by the Melbourne crowd for sealing the match with an underarm serve.
The Controversial Match Point
In his opening match on Sunday 18 January 2026, the 32nd seed faced Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate. Moutet secured a straight-sets win, 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3, but it was his final shot that sparked a reaction. On match point, the 26-year-old left-hander opted for a sliced underarm serve wide, a move that caught Schoolkate off guard and forced an error.
The initial gasps from the spectators quickly turned to jeers as Moutet dropped his racket and celebrated passionately with his team before the customary net handshake.
"No Disrespect," Says Flamboyant Frenchman
Speaking after the match, Moutet, known for his unorthodox and flamboyant style on the ATP Tour, insisted there was no malice behind the shot. "I did it because I thought it would be I could win the point, which I won the point actually. Nothing else," he stated.
"Of course, no disrespect or anything. You know, just, like, I could serve on the tee. I could [do] whatever. I decided to do this, so I thought it was the better option at this moment," Moutet explained, adding that he was "not thinking" about the unorthodox choice in the heat of the moment.
Entertainment vs. Performance
When asked about his unique approach to the game, the French player elaborated on his philosophy. "I'm just myself. I'm trying to perform well, to be the best version of myself, to be a great tennis player," Moutet said.
He acknowledged the entertainment value but was clear on his priorities. "If I can entertain the people, that's even better, but that's not my first priority. My first priority is to perform and be a great tennis player."
Moutet also paid tribute to the high level of competition in the current era, noting, "I don't know what people expect from us, but I think there is very good players right now, you know, in this era."
What's Next for Moutet?
The victory sets up an intriguing path for Moutet at Melbourne Park. He will face either Sebastian Korda or qualifier Michael Zheng in the second round. Should he progress, a potential third-round clash with world number one Carlos Alcaraz awaits, promising a major test of his entertaining and effective style.
