BuddyTV

Tennis ace RAFAEL NADAL has been left "shocked" and saddened by the death of his childhood pal and fellow player MATHIEU MONTCOURT, who was found dead in France early on Tuesday (07Jul09). Montcourt was discovered slumped on the stairwell of his Paris apartment building by his girlfriend. Emergency services were called, but by the time paramedics arrived on the scene, the 24 year old was dead. His cause of death has yet to be determined. The budding French tennis star, who was ranked 119th in the world, hit the headlines in May (09) when he was fined $12,000 and handed a five-week ban from the sport for betting on other matches. The ruling by the French tennis federation came into effect on Monday (06Jul09). The tragic news has stunned former world number one Nadal, and the Spanish star has issued a statement on his website detailing his disbelief. He writes, "This morning I woke up with one of the worst news anyone can receive (sic). I heard about the death of our friend Mathieu Montcourt. I am still under (sic) shock for this. I can't believe it." (MT/WNWA/KL)
- WENN.com