Fourth seed Dominic Thiem left the French Open on Saturday in anger after an incident linked to Serena Williams following his third round match.
The 25-year-old was just three questions into his press conference when officials interrupted. Saying that the 2018 runner-up has to go to another room in order to continue his press commitments. Controversially because Williams wanted to attend her press conference quickly following her loss to Sofia Kenin. A decision that was deemed acceptable by organisers of the tournament.
Thiem, who has reached the semi-finals or better at the tournament for the past three years, was bemused by the entire situation.
“I don’t really get it, seriously. I mean what the hell? It’s a joke. I had to leave the room because she’s (Williams) coming.” Thiem said to the media officer.
"Im not a junior player anymore"
@ThiemDomi was not amused as he had to leave the main Interviewroom because Serena #williams did not want to wait.
When he realised why he got threated like that he also quite press room 2 and didnt give any interviews for tv etc #RG19 #thiem
— Jannik Schneider (@schnejan) June 1, 2019
According to New York Times journalist Ben Rothenberg, Thiem was then informed that there might be some sort of delay after he was forced to move to another room. Prompting the furious Austrian to talk out.
“I leave also then. I’m not standing around. I can also do what I want.” He said.
In the third round on Saturday, Thiem defeated Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, after two hours and 36 minutes of play. Hitting 29 winners and capitalising from 48 unforced errors from his opponent. In the last 16 he will take on Gael Monfils on Sunday.
“For me, it was my best match so far at the French Open.” Thiem said about his win over Cuevas. “Not at all perfect yet, but the best so far. He played well, especially in the beginning and then at the end of the match.”
“I had a very bad start, but then I played very well. I was stupid to give the second set away like that, and then third and fourth was solid. I think was quite a good clay court match.”
Thiem currently has a winning 4-0 head-to-head record against Monfils.
Video of the press conference incident
(source of video – https://twitter.com/DatGoneIt77)
