Katie Boulter has criticised French Open organisers after another player was forced to retire from a match following a fall involving advertising equipment positioned around the court.
The British No 3 revealed she felt fortunate to avoid serious injury after stumbling over advertising blocks during her second-round defeat to Anastasia Potapova, before Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez suffered a similar incident less than 24 hours later.
Boulter lost her footing after stepping backwards to play a shot on Court Philippe-Chatrier, catching her foot on green Lacoste advertising markers positioned in front of the protective tarpaulins at the back of the court.
The 28-year-old fell heavily but was able to break her fall with her hands and continue the match without sustaining a significant injury.
Following the incident, Boulter reposted footage and images of the fall on social media alongside a strongly-worded response.
“Got lucky last night,” Boulter wrote.
“Next time I might not be…”
Katie Boulter has criticised French Open organisers after another player was forced to retire from a match following a fall involving advertising equipment positioned around the court
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The comments came after a social media user questioned why the advertising blocks had been placed on court in the first place.
“THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO,” Boulter added.
Concerns intensified on Friday when Sonmez was forced to retire from a doubles match after suffering a near-identical accident.
Female French Open winners since 2000 | GETTY/GB NEWS
The Turkish player was chasing down a ball alongside partner Tatjana Maria when Sonmez appeared not to notice the advertising block positioned behind the baseline.
With eyes fixed on the ball, Sonmez tripped over the obstacle before crashing into the back wall and falling heavily to the clay.
The incident left Sonmez with a cut knee and unable to continue, forcing retirement from the match with the score at 2-0 in the opening set.
Reacting to footage of the incident on X, Boulter wrote: “Omg! Not again!”
The latest controversy follows another injury concern involving Belgian player Alexander Blockx earlier in the tournament.
Zeynep Sonmez was in visible pain as she was forced to withdraw from the French Open
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Blockx was forced to withdraw from the men’s singles draw after suffering an ankle injury during practice.
In a social media post that was later edited, Blockx suggested the accident had also been linked to equipment positioned at the back of the court.
“Unfortunately, during today’s practice I heard a snap in my ankle while I sprained it thanks to the ‘really necessary’ covers at the back of the court @rolandgarros, which is why I had to withdraw from tomorrow’s match that I was really looking forward to,” Blockx initially wrote.
The reference to the court covers was later removed from the post.
The incidents have prompted fresh questions over player safety at Roland Garros, with multiple competitors now appearing to have been affected by equipment located beyond the baseline.
While no official changes have been announced by tournament organisers, the back-to-back incidents involving Boulter and Sonmez have intensified scrutiny of the court layout during one of tennis’ biggest events.
