LIAM BROADY has revealed he was insulted by a NINE-YEAR-OLD kid while playing at the French Open.
The Stockport star – ranked 147th in the world for singles – says “personal abuse” towards stars has ramped up since the Covid pandemic.
Broady, 30, lost in the first round at Roland Garros in 2020 but has failed in qualifying over the past three years.
It was a surprising revelation but was said in the context of booze being banned and louts targeting stars on court.
Belgian David Goffin alleged “someone spat out their chewing gum at me” during his five-set win over French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on a raucous Court 14 on Tuesday.
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He told talkSPORT: “A lot of players have said it’s been like that for a few years since Covid.
“I’ve had all sorts there, personal abuse. You try and laugh it off.
“But it’s difficult because you’ve only got 15 or 20 seconds between points.
“And you’ve got a nine-year-old kid telling you what’s going to happen and insulting you. It’s a different experience.
“Last year in my second round of qualifying I had to ask for a group of people to get removed.
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“I think it’s been happening for a few years now and the umpires don’t seem to be able to do anything.
“I do get the feeling at the French Open that a few guys go for a drink with their mates and see which players you can rattle.
“A lot of people don’t actually go to watch the sport.
“The sound isn’t a problem. If you change that rule I think players would get used to it.
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“It’s more about when people are personally going for a player, giving them verbal abuse.
“We use the towels and the towel box is right next to where people sit and Goffin is getting spat at.”