French Open organisers have released a statement calling on fans to behave themselves after David Goffin felt some overstepped the mark during his first-round match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
The 20-year-old Frenchman had the home support behind him throughout his match against Goffin on Tuesday as he nearly pulled off an upset.
Perricard took the opening set against Goffin before the enthralling match went to a deciding set.
The experienced Belgian eventually came through to win the five-set thriller in three hours and 31 minutes.
David Goffin won in five sets
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But the partisan French crowd got under the skin of Goffin, who cupped his ear at the end to loud boos from the stands.
After the match, Goffin sensationally claimed that one fan even spat their chewing gum in his direction.
He said: "When you are insulted for three and a half hours, you have to tease the public a little. Clearly, it goes too far. It's total disrespect. It's really too much.
"It's becoming football. Soon, there will be smoke bombs, hooligans, and there will be fights in the stands. It's starting to become ridiculous.
"Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere. Someone spat out their chewing gum at me."
The French Tennis Federation have now issued a response to the incident and called on spectators to respect the players.
“The public are incredibly enthusiastic, particularly on the outside courts," the statement read.
"However, they must of course show full respect to all players while doing so.
The French Tennis Federation have urged fans to show respect
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“Oversight bodies are in place to make sure rules are followed.
"Although it is only natural that fans share their excitement and cheer on their favourites, this may not in any case go against the values of tennis or consideration for the players.”
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Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard had the full support of the crowd on Court 14
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Goffin progressed to the second round where he will face world No 3 Alexander Zverev.
The German tennis star knocked out Rafael Nadal in his opening match with the 14-time French Open champion potentially playing his last match at Roland Garros.
All top 15 seeds in the men's draw have made it through the first round of the French Open.
