France’s Montcourt found dead
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Temmuz 08, 2009 00:00
PARIS - French tennis player Mathieu Montcourt has died at the age of 24.
The French tennis federation said on Tuesday that Montcourt had died overnight but that "the causes of his death are not yet known."
"It is with great sadness that the French tennis federation has learned of the sudden death of Mathieu Montcourt," the FFT said. "Mathieu was an enthusiastic young man, passionate, very endearing, and extremely appreciated for his kindness and politeness."
French media earlier reported that Montcourt, ranked 119, was found dead by his girlfriend in the stairwell of his Paris apartment.
In May, Montcourt was handed a five-week ban and fined $12,000 for betting on other matches. Montcourt complained during the French Open that the punishment was too harsh, saying that he never bet more than $3 at any time, and never on his own matches - a fact confirmed by ATP, the body which oversees men’s tennis.
The issue of betting in tennis drew increased attention from the sport's governing bodies after an online bookmaker voided all wagers on a 2007 match involving Nikolay Davydenko.
The Russian tennis player was cleared in September after a yearlong investigation.
"It is with great sadness that the French tennis federation has learned of the sudden death of Mathieu Montcourt," the FFT said. "Mathieu was an enthusiastic young man, passionate, very endearing, and extremely appreciated for his kindness and politeness."
French media earlier reported that Montcourt, ranked 119, was found dead by his girlfriend in the stairwell of his Paris apartment.
In May, Montcourt was handed a five-week ban and fined $12,000 for betting on other matches. Montcourt complained during the French Open that the punishment was too harsh, saying that he never bet more than $3 at any time, and never on his own matches - a fact confirmed by ATP, the body which oversees men’s tennis.
The issue of betting in tennis drew increased attention from the sport's governing bodies after an online bookmaker voided all wagers on a 2007 match involving Nikolay Davydenko.
The Russian tennis player was cleared in September after a yearlong investigation.