Mathieu Montcourt, a French tennis player recently banned for match betting, dies at the age of 24.
On Tuesday, the French Tennis Federation said that the young tennis pro died overnight. An autopsy will be performed in order to determine the cause of death.
According to reports, Montcourt was found lifeless in his Paris apartment by his girlfriend.
“It is with great sadness that the French tennis federation has learned of the sudden death of Mathieu Montcourt. Mathieu was an enthusiastic young man, passionate, very endearing, and extremely appreciated for his kindness and politeness,” the French Tennis Federation said in a statement.
Six-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal expressed his shock over his friend’s sudden death.
“This morning I woke up with one of the worst news anyone can receive. I heard about the death of our friend Mathieu Montcourt. I am still under shock for this. I can’t believe it,” the world number two stated on his website.
Montcourt, ranked 119th in the world, said recently that the eight-week banned imposed on his was “too harsh” considering that he never wagered more than $3 at any time and those bets were never made on his own matches. ATP confirmed that. His ban was then reduced to five weeks. The ban would have taken effect last Monday.
