Row erupts between Collins and Moutet after Miami Open interview
A heated row has erupted between American tennis player Danielle Collins and French competitor Corentin Moutet following an interview broadcast on Tennis Channel during the Miami Open, reports BritPanorama.
Collins alleged that Moutet had been attempting to flirt with her, prompting an angry rebuttal from the Frenchman on social media platform X. Moutet, who is due to face world number two Jannik Sinner in the Round of 32, has vehemently denied her account of events.
The interview began with presenter Steve Weissman describing how Moutet had been “shouting at you, he was cat calling you” during an encounter at a practice court. Collins recounted her response to the alleged advances: “If you’re going to be flirting with me like that, you’re going to have to get a bigger serve.”
She elaborated on her preferences, stating: “Some people think it comes down to height, some people think it comes down to personality, but really what it comes down to is big forehands and big serves.” The American, who stands at 5ft 10in, had previously made headlines after her dating profile declared she was not interested in “short kings,” while Moutet is listed at 5ft 11in.
Collins went on to claim that Moutet had unfollowed her on social media after discovering her dating preferences, but subsequently reached out to her privately. “He was upset about that and messaged me and then unfollowed me,” she told Tennis Channel. The American alleged that Moutet had contacted her again the previous evening.
“He slid back into the DMs last night asking me if I saw his match and all the big serves that he was hitting,” Collins said. When asked about his prospects, she raised her eyebrows and delivered a dismissive verdict: Moutet does not “have a chance yet.”
Moutet responded with fury on X, flatly contradicting Collins’s version of events. “How can I unfollow you when I never followed you?” he demanded. The Frenchman insisted that it was Collins who had followed him and even proposed they play mixed doubles together.
“I’ve never even followed you,” he wrote. “You ready to say anything so people talks about you.” He accused Collins of seeking attention, adding: “You should learn how to love yourself so you won’t have to do stupid things for people loves.” Moutet concluded his post with a pointed jab at the broadcaster’s editorial standards: “Tennis Channel, good sport journalist.”
The unfolding drama highlights the pressures and dynamics at play in professional sports, where public personas are crafted under immense scrutiny — underscoring the fine line between personal interactions and public perception. Amidst the tensions, it’s a reminder of how easily the lines blur in the world of sport.
