Llodra involved in spat with umpire

Michael Llodra of France reacts during his match against Steve Darcis of Belgium during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 23, 2011.

PARIS (Reuters) - France's Michael Llodra got involved in a spat with the umpire at the French Open on Monday and went on to suffer a first-round defeat by Belgian Steve Darcis.

Llodra, the 22nd seed, complained that someone was moving around in the stands and lost his temper with umpire Mohamed El Jennati, who gave him a warning after he threw the ball towards the crowd.

Television footage showed Llodra telling El Jennati: "We're not in a souk. We're not selling carpets in the market."

"I don't think the umpire was doing his job," Llodra told a news conference after the 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-3 defeat.

"He should have called security or told that person to stop moving around. Security should have done their job.

"I mean, I had seen this person for a long time already. It's too easy to give me a warning. It was useless. And of course it's not pleasant to get a warning."

Llodra, however, said the incident was not the reason why he lost the match.

"It's something that happens in a match. That is not the reason why I lost," he said.

In a statement, French Open organisers said: "It's a refereeing incident and the explanation Michael gave puts an end to the controversy.".

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)