Daily Times

PARIS: The French Tennis Federation on Sunday slapped a ban on the country’s top women players following ‘unacceptable’ conduct at the Rio Olympics. If the temporary ban is upheld Caroline Garcia, the French number one, and Kristina Mladenovic, the number two, will miss the final of the Fed Cup against the Czech Republic in November. The conduct of the women as well as male teammate Benoit Paire was “unacceptable and merits an appropriate response,” the federation said, announcing that a final decision will be released on September 24. In the interim the two women, the reigning French Open doubles champions, as well as Paire, will forfeit financial aid and selection to represent their country. Mladenovic is accused of publicly criticising the federation following her defeat in the Olympic doubles tournament in which she teamed up with Garcia. She said in a tweet the federation failed to tell the players about tournament rules whereby they had to wear the same colours on court, forcing Garcia into a last-minute change of kit borrowed from her teammate. Paire was kicked out of the French Olympic team by national coach Arnaud Di Pasquale over allegations of poor conduct in Rio including lengthy absences from the Olympic village. The federation statement said the three players had “issued a slap in the face to the federation and damaged the image of tennis.”