WATCH: French Open hero rejects domestic violence question after Daniil Medvedev win

French Open
Thiago Seyboth Wild

Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild enjoyed the biggest win of his tennis career as he beat world No 2 Daniil Medvedev at the French Open, but he faced an uncomfortable question in his post-match press conference.

Medvedev was the first big casualty of the French Open after losing in five sets to Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild in the opening round.

On the court where Brazilian great Gustavo Kuerten lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires three times, 23-year-old Seyboth Wild delighted the Philippe Chatrier crowd with his attacking tennis.

After winning the opening set, he looked to have blown his chance when he failed to convert a 6-4 lead in the second-set tie-break and missed the easiest of overheads to hand Medvedev the set.

The Russian comfortably won the third as well but Seyboth Wild fought back brilliantly in the fourth and broke the Medvedev serve three times in the decider to win 7-6 (5) 6-7 (6) 2-6 6-3 6-4, clinching his first grand slam win with his 69th winner.

Seyboth Wild, ranked 172, said: “I’ve watched Daniil play for my entire career. I’ve always dreamed of playing these players on this court. In my best dreams, I beat them, so it’s a dream come true.”

Wild’s joy was evident as he celebrated his moment of glory, but he faced an uncomfortable question in his post match press conference as he was asked about domestic abuse claims made against him.

Former partner Thayane Lima is reported to have accused him of physical and psychological violence and he was asked about the incident in his post-match press conference.

When the subject was raised, Wild was quick to offer a dismissive response as he said: “I don’t think it’s a subject we should talk about it right here.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Medvedev insisted he was not too disappointed by his exit as he said: “I’m not going to look at it back on TV but my feeling was that he played well. I don’t think I played that bad, but he played well.

“His life is going to be better if he plays like this every match. He’s going to get more money, more sponsors, win big titles. But he has to play like this. Not once on the Philippe Chatrier, but a lot of times in different tournaments all over the world throughout the year.”

Medvedev was pleased overall with his clay-court season, but said: “Every time it finishes, I’m happy.

“I had a mouthful of clay since probably the third game of the match, and I don’t like it. I don’t know if people like to eat clay, to have clay in their bags, in their shoes, the socks, white socks, you can throw them in the garbage after clay season. Maybe some people like it. I don’t.”

Medvedev is more fond of grass and hopes his nationality will not count against him with the Wimbledon public following the lifting of last year’s ban.

“We cannot control it,” he said. “If people are going to decide to be harsh, it is what it is. If they’re going to be kind, it’s great.

“I will be happy if I’m able to come to the UK to play Wimbledon. It’s not easy to play on grass. I cannot even say I love it, but better than on clay.

“So I’m going to try to manage to do better this year in Wimbledon than the years before.”

READ MORE: Daniil Medvedev: I had a mouthful of clay, I don’t like to eat clay

Thiago Seyboth Wild

Latest