During the first-round match between Moutet and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on 17/5, an exciting rally in the first set concluded with Davidovich Fokina hitting a forehand counter-attack into the open court on Moutet's side. Frustrated by losing the point, Moutet grabbed both sides of his shorts and pulled them down close to the clay surface, revealing his underwear.

Spectators in the stands chuckled, with even some jeering whistles, in disbelief at what was unfolding. The world number 32 player was subsequently warned by the umpire for unsportsmanlike conduct. Earlier, Moutet also lost his temper, throwing his racket at an advertising board behind the court after another lost point.

It is not uncommon for tennis players to lose their cool during a match. Arguing with the umpire, smashing rackets, or hitting balls directly into the stands are common reactions from players when they lose their composure. However, Moutet took things to an entirely different level. TNT Sports suggested he was fortunate not to receive a harsher penalty.

This was not the first time a tennis player pulled down their shorts on court. A similar incident occurred in 2004 when former world number one Marat Safin pulled down his shorts to celebrate a winning point against Felix Mantilla. Safin received a point penalty for this action. Nevertheless, he still won the match after five sets and advanced at Roland Garros. When asked about the incident after the match, Safin responded, "What's wrong with pulling down your pants to celebrate?"

Moutet received a lighter penalty than Safin, but he lost to Davidovich Fokina 4-6, 4-6 on thursday and was eliminated from the Hamburg Open. He has suffered three consecutive first-round losses at Madrid, Rome, and Hamburg. Davidovich Fokina advanced to the round of 16, where he will face world number three player Alex de Minaur.

This week, players are competing in the ATP 500 event in Hamburg and the ATP 250 in Geneva. These are the final warm-ups before the clay court Grand Slam Roland Garros, with the main draw starting on 24/5. The qualifiers for the biggest clay court event of the season began yesterday 18/5.

Vy Anh