PARIS — Maxime Hamou was banished from the French Open on Tuesday after the French player kissed and cuddled a TV journalist following his first-round exit Monday.

“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.

Maly Thomas of Eurosport was trying to interview Hamou when he put his arm around her shoulder, pulled her close, kissed her temple and nuzzled her neck before she slipped from his grasp.

“Had it not been live, I would have punched him with a right,” Thomas told The Huffington Post.

Eurosport said in a statement: “We sincerely regret the incident that occurred during yesterday evening’s interview between Maly Thomas and Maxime Hamou. 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.”

Hamou, 21, is ranked No. 287 in the world. He was given a wild-card entry into the field. He lost to Pablo Cuevas, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

With Reuters