French Open tennis player booted after kissing, hugging reporter

May 30 (UPI) -- First he was knocked out of the tournament, and then Maxime Hamou was kicked out of the facility after kissing a reporter on live TV at the French Open.

Hamou fell 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4 to Pablo Cuevas on Monday in the first round of the tournament at Roland-Garros in Paris, France.

After his loss, he stepped in for an interview with Maly Thomas of Eurosport. Thomas asked Hamou a question, before Hamou put his arm around her and pulled her in close. He then repeatedly tried to kiss her, despite her attempts to pull away. She got in a few questions before Hamou again pulled her in without consent and kissed her multiple times. She was attempting to lift his arm off of her shoulder, but was unsuccessful.

"The management of the tournament has decided to revoke Maxime Hamou's accreditation following his reprehensible behavior with a journalist yesterday," the French Tennis Federation said in a statement, via Carole Bouchard.

Hamou, 21, is ranked No. 287 in the world.

"Had it not been live, I would have punched him with a right," Thomas told the Huffington Post.

Hamou also apologized for his actions.

"I would like to offer my deepest apologies to Maly Thomas if she felt hurt or shocked by my behavior during her interview," Hamou wrote Tuesday on Instagram. "I just spent a wonderful week here at Roland Garros, living my most beautiful emotions as a tennis player, and I let my overflow of enthusiasm express itself awkwardly toward Maly, who I know and who I sincerely respect. Nothing of what is written was my intention. I am available to her to present my apologies in person if she would like. I still learn every day from my mistakes to become a better tennis player and a better person."

Eurosport also issued a statement, accepting the apology.

"We sincerely regret the incident that occurred during yesterday evening's interview between Maly Thomas and Maxime Hamou," the statement said. "The behavior of the interviewee was highly inappropriate and we do not condone such conduct in any way."

"Maly is a highly respected journalist and we are pleased that a full apology is being offered."

"We apologize to any viewers who may have been affected."

The French Open continues Wednesday morning with the round of 64.