Tennis Star, Maxime Hamou Apologises For Kissing Female Reporter On Live TV

Tennis star and World No 287, Maxime
Hamou has issued an apology for kissing a
female reporter during a post-match
interview at the French Open on Monday.





The 21-year-old from France on Wednesday
was banished from the French Open by the
French Tennis Federation (FTT) after he was
shown live on TV grabbing broadcast
reporter Maly Thomas around the neck,
shoulders, and was seen forcing his lips on
the reporter despite her efforts to pull
away.






Speaking to French newspaper l’Equipe,
Hamou expressed remorse for the incident,
saying he would like to apologize to
Thomas in person.




'I want to offer my deepest apologies to
Maly Thomas if she felt hurt or shocked by
my attitude during her interview.


'I just lived a wonderful week here in
Roland Garros living my most beautiful
emotions as a tennis player, and I let my
overflow of enthusiasm express myself
awkwardly towards Maly, who I know and
sincerely respect.




Nothing of all that is
written was my intention.



“I am at her disposal to apologise to her in
person if she so wishes. I learn every day
from my mistakes to become a better
tennis player and a better person.”



Eurosport’s tennis correspondent Henri
Leconte also apologized for applauding
Maxime Hamou unwanted advances
towards Maly Thomas when it was shown
on Eurosport show 'Avantage Leconte'.



I wanted to go back to the incident last
night concerning the duplex with our
reporter Maly Thomas and the player
Maxime Hamou.



I want to make it clear that
we do not endorse this type of behavior.



Maly is a great professional who deserves
an apology,” said the former grand slam
winner.



'Our live response was also not
appropriate, we should have intervened
quickly. We apologise to our viewers,' he
added.