Tennis fans rallied behind the former French Open champion, Mary Pierce, after she was subjected to fat-shaming comments during her appearance at the 2026 Roland Garros. Pierce was present at the 2026 Roland Garros, which marked the 26th anniversary of her victory in 2000.
Pierce, now 51, is a two-time Grand Slam champion. She hung up her racket after suffering a severe left knee ligament injury during a match in Linz, Austria, in October 2006. Pierce attended the trophy ceremony on Saturday, June 6. However, her appearance was met with fat-shaming remarks from trolls, one of whom wrote:
Thanks for the submission!
“Oh damn, Mary Pierce, I was a fan, but did she eat Marion Bartoli or what?”
Tennis fans were quick to defend the tennis player. One of Pierce’s fans took a jab at the troll for their demeaning comments and wrote:
“Aren’t you ashamed of what you write, you big son of a b***h?”
Another fan pointed out multiple factors, including aging, menopause, and changes in lifestyle. They urged people to stop shaming women based on their appearance and added:
“She surely doesn’t do as much sports as before anymore, she might be eating differently, probably menopausal, she’s aging, she’s gaining weight, maybe tomorrow she’ll have slimmed down, and she pisses you off. I’m fed up with these comments. Leave women alone about their bodies”
A fan highlighted the effects of menopause with aging and chimed in:
“At 51 years old, can’t a woman always be at peace with her weight? Do you know the consequences of menopause?”
Here are a few more reactions:
“There’s always some big a*****e who has to talk about women’s bodies. Can’t you just shut your big mouth?”
“She must’ve eaten your bullshit! She might have health problems.”
“The remarks about the physique are hitting hard!”
Mirra Andreeva expressed her gratitude to everyone except Mary Pierce after her French Open victory
Mirra Andreeva lifted her first-ever Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open Tournament. Following the win, she expressed her gratitude towards tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and the organizers. Andreeva stated her disbelief in having completed her childhood dream.
However, what caught everyone’s attention was Andreeva refusing to thank Mary Pierce in her amusing speech. She highlighted the 2000 French Open final when the former French tennis player defeated Andreeva’s current coach, Conchita Martínez, in the final.
“Thanks to FFT, Amelie [Mauresmo, tournament director],” Mirra Anreeva said. “I don’t know if I should thank you, Mary, because you beat my coach once here in the final!” Andreeva said. “But yeah, I’m joking, of course. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you for making this tournament very, very cosy and comfortable, very special for me, personally. I’ve been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young, so it’s also a big dream of mine to win this tournament, and I honestly cannot believe that I’m holding this trophy right now, so thank you so much for making such an amazing event.”
Andreeva saw off Maja Chwalinska in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Edited by Janhavi Shinde