British tennis player Cam Norrie faced hostile treatment from spectators at the Paris Masters on Thursday, with loud boos erupting after he celebrated winning a point against Valentin Vacherot.
The incident occurred during the eleventh game of the opening set when Norrie, trailing 5-6, raised both arms skyward twice following a successful point.
The partisan crowd at La Defence Arena had been vocally supporting Vacherot throughout the match. Norrie's demonstrative reaction prompted an immediate negative response from the spectators.
The Monaco representative went on to secure victory in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4, eliminating the British player from the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Cam Norrie celebrated a point wildly while the Paris crowd reacted with a chorus of boos
|REUTERS
Vacherot has emerged as the crowd's surrogate home player following the elimination of all French competitors from the singles competition.
Though the 29-year-old was raised in southeastern France, he competes under the Monaco flag on the international circuit.
The absence of French representation in the later stages has led Parisian spectators to embrace Vacherot as their preferred contestant.
His path to the third round included a victory over Arthur Rinderknech, who happens to be his cousin and was among three French players granted wildcards for the tournament.
The Monaco player's connection to France and his recent form have made him the natural choice for local support in the tournament.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
| GETTY/GBNEWS
Vacherot's remarkable rise includes his triumph at the Shanghai Masters, where he defeated Rinderknech in the final match. That victory earned him a wildcard entry to compete in Paris.
Previously ranked 204th globally, the Monaco player has experienced a dramatic improvement in fortunes.
Following his win over Norrie, he reflected on his journey: "I've been training, trying, working, doing everything possible and everything is clicking now.
"It's the work of many, many, many years even since my five years in college, my four years on tour, it's pure work."
He added: "I would have never thought that it would pay off this way but I'm glad it is."
Norrie's departure leaves no British players in the tournament after Jacob Fearnley fell to Andrey Rublev in straight sets during the opening round, having progressed through qualifying.
Valentin Vacherot has the backing of the French crowd despite being from Monaco
|REUTERS
Jack Draper, Britain's top-ranked player, was forced to withdraw before the competition due to an arm problem.
French tennis continues to await its first Paris Masters champion since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's 2008 triumph.
10 in a Vache-row 🔥
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 30, 2025
Vacherot defeats Norrie 7-6 6-4 to extend his Masters 1000 winning streak!#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/dzjZCdQYka
The drought has persisted despite Tsonga reaching another final in 2011, where Roger Federer proved too strong, and Gael Monfils twice falling short against Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling.
This year's tournament saw notable French absences, with defending finalist Ugo Humbert withdrawing through injury and Arthur Fils also pulling out after his earlier US Open withdrawal.