French Tennis Star Corentin Moutet Facing Fines After Dropping F-Bomb Multiple Times During TV interview

NEED TO KNOW

• Tennis player Corentin Moutet swore multiple times during a live BBC interview after winning a match at the HSBC Championships
• The tennis star apologized on Instagram but faces potential fines from the ATP for violating its Code of Conduct
• Fines for such violations can range from $25,000 to $250,000 depending on the severity of the offense

A French tennis star has been fined after swearing multiple times in a live TV interview. 

Corentin Moutet, 27, is facing heavy fines from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) following a BBC interview at Queen’s Club where he allegedly swore seven times in less than a minute, according to ESPN, BBC and The New York Times.

After the tennis player defeated fellow compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard over three sets at the HSBC Championships, he entered a post-match interview with BBC’s Jenny Drummond, who asked him about facing a 142 mph second serve from his opponent.

“That’s so frustrating, you know. When I had match point, I was on the second serve. Okay, you aim in the middle, whatever you do, just put the ball in the court,” he said, adding, “And then he hits me [with] 142 [mph] and I was like, ‘f–––. I will have to serve…’ ”

There was a pause before Drummond told him, “No f-bombs please,” before handing him back the microphone, to which he responded, with a series of more expletives, saying, “F— f— f—.”

Drummond gasped and said, “No, no, no,” before apologizing to the audience for the language. She then said, “I’m going to ask one more question, so please keep it clean” and inquired about how he felt to have his first victory.

A grinning Moutet answered it “F— f— f—!” again, prompting Drummond to cut the interview short. 

When the cameras cut back to the studio, BBC presenter Clare Balding reiterated the apology on air for “everyone watching BBC Two and iPlayer,” per ESPN. Her co-presenter Annabel Croft also described Moutet’s conduct as “appalling,” per the outlet.

The tennis star later apologized in the comments of a censored Instagram post on the HSBC Championships account — which appears to have since been taken down. He reportedly wrote, per ESPN: “I was just joking I hope you guys didn’t get offended. Thanks for the love.”

Moutet earned around $42,200 (£33,000) for the victory; however, it was unclear how much of his earnings that he would need to pay back to ATP in fines.

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Fines are usually issued by the ATP to professional players or tournament organizers for violating its official Code of Conduct. According to the code of conduct, fines begin at $25,000 and could go up to a maximum of $250,000 depending on the severity of the penalty.

PEOPLE has reached out to the ATP for comment on the fines. 

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