Corentin Moutet’s volatile run at the HSBC Championship ended on Thursday, June 18, 2026, after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated the Frenchman in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, during a second-round clash at Queen’s Club. The final score was quickly overshadowed by yet another outburst from the 27-year-old, who drew immediate criticism for aggressively slamming his racket into the pristine West Kensington grass following a mid-match slip.
Key Details
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina secured the victory 6-4, 6-3 to advance past the second round.
- Moutet’s racket smash severely breached the strict etiquette and surface preservation rules of the historic London venue.
- According to unconfirmed reports from fans in attendance, the French player allegedly pulled his pants down in frustration after dropping a point mid-match.
- The ATP is actively reviewing the Thursday on-court actions for potential disciplinary fines.
The incident capped off a chaotic week in London for the polarizing player. Moutet’s loss to Davidovich Fokina and his racket smash on the Queen’s Club lawns triggered an immediate review from ATP officials.
Thursday’s meltdown arrived just days after a highly controversial first-round victory over compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. During a live post-match interview, Moutet used the “F-word” seven times while describing a 142 mph serve. He ignored warnings from interviewer Jenny Drummond, forcing the broadcast to cut the segment short and apologize to viewers. The live BBC interview where he swore multiple times and faces an ATP fine drew immediate public condemnation, with presenters Clare Balding and Annabel Croft branding his behavior on-air as “unacceptable.”
This pattern of misconduct is well documented on the professional circuit. The French Tennis Federation previously withdrew its financial and coaching support from Moutet entirely. He was famously disqualified at the 2022 Adelaide International following inappropriate comments to an umpire and was fined later that same season for a physical on-court altercation with Adrian Andreev.