ATP investigating Moutet and Andreev altercation says Frenchman's coach

Corentin Moutet’s coach has confirmed the ATP are investigating his player’s on-court altercation with Bulgarian Adrian Andreev.

The pair almost came to blows at the handshake following Moutet’s defeat to his lower ranked opponent at the Orléans Challenger this week.

And the Frenchman’s trainer Laurent Raymond told L'Equipe Moutet would get notified of any penalties following the referee's investigation, which will include speaking to the umpire.

Wildcard Andreev won in three sets 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 against Moutet and as the players approached the net afterwards, Andreev slapped his opponent’s hand and reluctantly shook it.

He then bumped his shoulder into the Frenchman’s chest on purpose before Moutet responded with a push.

The umpire had to race down from his chair and separate the two.

On Instagram afterwards, Moutet defended his actions.

“I wish to make no apologies for what happened late in the game,” he wrote.

“When a player says ‘f–k you’, twice while looking at me in the eye, I can’t help but make him understand in my own way that is not done.”

The players had only recently met in Genoa days earlier, a clash Andreev also won in three sets and according to Raymond, the issues between them began there, when Andreev was taunting Moutet during the handshake.

He told L'Equipe: “Nothing special to my knowledge. Until the handshake, where Andreev taunted him saying something like: "I beat you, I'm the best". But it didn't go any further.”

Raymond also confirmed there had been no further interaction between the players. "I know they wanted to meet but there was no explanation, or physical contact," he said.

"Back at the hotel, there was nothing abnormal."

It’s not the first time Moutet has been caught up in controversy on the court this year.

At the Adelaide International in January, the 23-year-old was disqualified for swearing at the chair umpire after he lost the second set of his second-round match against Laslo Dere.

Potential penalties could include a fine or suspension for the players.