Gael Monfils said rumors of a fight causing his disqualification from UTS Oslo are not true.
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, February 10, 2024
Gael Monfils shot down reports he was disqualified from UTS Oslo due to a locker room skirmish.
In a post on Twitter/X, Monfils said “there was no malice or negativity on my part. No abuse, no violence.”
UTS Oslo organizers issued a statement on Friday saying Monfils was disqualified from the event “due to a violation of the code of conduct resulting from his behavior towards the tournament supervisor.”
The statement from the tournament, organized by coach Patrick Mouratoglou, prompted speculation that Monfils was involved in an altercation that sparked his disqualification.
Following the disqualification of La Monf, Lucas Pouille will make his debut against Benoit Paire in Friday night’s final match #UTSOslo 🇳🇴
More info: https://t.co/3plfg7j6HB pic.twitter.com/rmjdkE687k
— UTS Tour – Oslo (Feb09-11) (@uts_tour_) February 9, 2024
Monfils, who lost his match to Aussie Alex de Minaur 15-12, 17-8, 16-9, said while “joking around in the locker room, Stephane was unfortunately hurt.” Monfils said the the incident was unintentional and maintains there was no malice or altercation that caused his disqualification.
I want to tell everyone what happened at UTS in Oslo. As per the release from UTS directly, there was no malice or negativity on my part. No abuse, no violence.
However, whilst joking around in the locker room, Stephane was unfortunately hurt. It was never my intention to hurt…
— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) February 10, 2024
“The disqualification makes this look like there was an issue or altercation backstage but really there wasn’t, this was an accident and nothing more,” Monfils posted. “However, whilst joking around in the locker room, Stephane was unfortunately hurt.
“It was never my intention to hurt or cause harm and thankfully Stephane knows that. People who know me, know this is not in my nature. Stephane and I have shook hands and move on.
“The disqualification makes this look like there was an issue or altercation backstage but really there wasn’t, this was an accident and nothing more.”
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
