On social networks, the French tennis player Corentin Moutet claims to have been threatened with death by his Russian opponent Pavel Kotov in the first round of the Aix-en-Provence Open. Internet users react.
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It was on the evening of April 30 on the Aix-en-Provence Open lessons. For the first round, Corentin Moutet, seeded n ° 8, is opposed to Russian Pavel Kotov, 121st in the world. He won the 1st set, lost in the second. As night falls to the heart of the third set, the referee is about to interrupt the match until the next day. The newspaper L’Équipe relates that the French, ranked 82nd on the ATP circuit, throws its last forces of the day “By “lighting” Kotov with a net, as can happen in any match“. But the gesture derails his opponent. The Russian sees it as a provocation, and would then have launched Moutet:”The next time you come to the net, I will kill you“. Adding a few seconds later:”One day, someone will kill you.“
Next time, I’ll kill you.
Pavel Kotov, Tennisman RusseQuoted by Corentin Moutet
As soon as the meeting was suspended, Corentin Moutet denounced on X these death threats launched by his opponent who was about to spoil him at night.
In a first publication deleted since, Moutet deplores the lack of reaction from the chair referee: “There was not even a warning. Apparently, these words are allowed on the court” he wrote in the tone of irony. Before adding, to ATP tournament managers: “How do you want to react if you don’t do your job?“
The next day, facing the same Kotov, Corentin Moutet quickly scored the two missing games by qualifying for the knockout stages. In a long howl of final joy, and without his opponent deigning to shake his hand. But his victory proves that the precision of his hand is at least as singular … as his character.
Corentin Moutet says he was threatened with death by his Russian opponent • © Jean Catuffe / Jean Catuffe
As the‘Teamthere are no longer the altercations that put in the grip of the bright flay of French tennis with its opponents, the referees or the public. In March 2025, Corentin Moutet almost came to blows with Alexander Bublik, the boiling Kazakh having launched him: “SI You want to fight, we meet in 10 minutes outside! “. In Miami, a few days later, Moutet received a penalty game for refusing to come back to the course as long as a spectator having sent him a moved gesture was not expelled.
On social networks, Internet users also share their anger against the threats received on the court, and criticize the impunity from which the Russian player benefited: “Isn’t he disqualifying for that?” ; “Kotov must never go back to a short if all this is real” ; “Suspended for life if the facts are proven. Go Go Coco! ” However, most reactions question, and sometimes question the attitude deemed provocative of Corentin Moutet vis-à-vis his opponents.
The behavior of Corentin Moutet on courts is criticized by Internet users • © Capture facebook
For a twittos, “The Moutet is undrinkable! So it is not surprising that his opponents are irritated“Another surfer confirms:”When it is always the same people who have concerns, maybe it’s not the others the problem?“
