Day three of the French Open saw a former teenage prodigy register the biggest win of his life.
Thiago Seyboth Wild produced a level of tennis well beyond his current ranking of No.172 to stun Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5), 6-7(8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, in what was his tournament debut. The Brazilian produced 69 winners to become the lowest-ranked player to beat a second seed in the first round at Roland Garros since 1998 when Mariano Zabaleta (No.213) upset Petr Korda. It was the breakthrough Seyboth Wild had wanted for so long after a promising junior career which saw him lift the 2018 US Open boy’s trophy.
Speaking to reporters after his shock triumph, the mood in the press room was one of celebration and delight until an awkward encounter occurred between him and one journalist.
“I don’t think it’s a question you should be making to anybody. I don’t think it comes to you to decide whether it’s a place to be spoken of or not,” he replied.
The 23-year-old’s sharp response was prompted by a question regarding an allegation that he abused his former partner, Thayane Lima, physically and psychologically. These allegations first became public knowledge back in 2021 but a resolution is yet to occur, casting a dark cloud over the head of the tennis star.
Beatriz Coelho Cesarini was the person who broke the news of the domestic abuse allegations against Seyboth Wild after speaking to Lima. She is a reporter for Universo Online Sport, which is better known as UOL Esporte.
“I talked a lot with Thayane and she showed me several print screens that proved how Wild abused her,” Cesarini told Ubitennis via email. “He cursed her, forbade her to wear clothes she liked, threw her out of the apartment and assaulted her.’
“Has the tennis player ever spoken publically about the allegations?”
According to UOL, law enforcement officials in Brazil have tried to issue legal documentation to the tennis star on three different occasions but were unable to do so because he was not present at the time they visited his address. Their next goal is to do so via his lawyers.
“The defence alleges that it is because of the commitments,” Cesarini commented, “But he was also in Brazil for a long time. Justice did not find him for a year. It’s plenty of time.”
Based on her knowledge of the situation, the Brazilian Tennis Federation has never launched an investigation related to the allegations or has taken any action. Perhaps even more significant is that the rumour of Seyboth Wild launching a case against Lima for defamation of character appears to be false, according to Cesarini. Lima and her lawyer say they have never been informed or summoned by the court. Therefore, the lawyer believes that allegation to be false.
Of course, there are two sides to the story, Seyboth Wild has previously said the charges made against him are “false, fabricated and vengeful.” Perhaps he has been a victim in this case with his ex-partner wanting to get her own back for some reason. However, Cesarini has her doubts.
“Nothing plausible,” she replied when asked if Seyboth Wild could be a victim in this case. “The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rio de Janeiro decided to file a complaint for domestic violence after analyzing a series of evidence. It is serious.”
This is not the first time that a tennis player has been accused of domestic abuse with another notable example being that of Alexander Zverev who was accused of abusing his former partner Olya Sharypova. The ATP subsequently launched a lengthy investigation centered around an incident that took place at the 2019 Shanghai Masters. Investigators also looked at purported misconduct at other locations such as Geneva (Laver Cup) and New York (where Sharypova said she tried to commit suicide by injecting herself with insulin). They concluded that there was ‘insufficient evidence to substantiate allegations of abuse.” Zverev has always denied any wrongdoing.
Seyboth Wild will play his second round match at the French Open on Thursday against Guido Pella.
