A tennis player has been banned from the French Open after an incident in which he attempted to repeatedly kiss a journalist on live TV.

French player Maxime Hamou, who is World No 287, had just lost a first round match to Pablo Cuevas when Eurosport reporter Maly Thomas began to conduct a post-match interview with him.

However, the 21 year old attempted to kiss Thomas' head several times while she tried to avoid his advances and attempt to continue her interview with him during the live broadcast.

She can be heard saying "Qu'est que vous faite?" which translates as "What are you doing?" as she tried to duck out of his way.

The French Open organisers at Roland Garros responded to his behaviour by revoking his credentials, while Hamou himself apologised on social media.

Maly told the French version of the Huffington Post that she found the incident disgraceful and "would have hit him with a right hook if it hadn't been on live TV".

In an apology on Facebook, Hamou said:  "I offer my deep apologies to Maly Thomas if she feels hurt or shocked by my attitude during her interview.

"I have just spent a magnificent week here at Roland Garros and I expressed my overflow of enthusiasm crudely towards Maly, who I know and respect sincerely.

"I'm still learning every day from my mistakes to become a better tennis player and a better person."