Roger Federer has played down the potential fallout involving Dominic Thiem after the Austrian walked out of his French Open press conference on Saturday evening.
Officials at the Paris major has come under fire over the decision to stop and move Thiem’s press conference. Despite the fact he was already three questions in. He was told that the decision has been made because Serena Williams wanted to go to the press quickly after losing to Sofia Kenin in the third round. Leaving the world No.4 far from happy about the 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.
Thiem ended up exiting his press conference after he was informed that there may be a potential delay after he was told to move to another room.
“I leave also then. I’m not standing around. I can also do what I want.” He said.
The incident has generated a big debate on social media with many fans expressing their support for Thiem. Meanwhile, Federer has also questioned the reasoning for moving Thiem, who won his third round match. Arguing that the winners of matches should have priority.
“If I would have lost today against Mayer, I would let Mayer go first or decide when he wants to go to press as he’s got a next match.” Said Federer.
“There must have surely been a misunderstanding or maybe they should have kept Serena still in the locker room, not waiting here in the press center. I don’t know exactly what happened. I understand Dominic’s frustration.”
Jannik Schneider, who is a journalist working for the German publication Tennis Magazin, has since clarified what really happened on Saturday evening. According to his research, Williams wanted to speak to press quickly after her loss, but didn’t want to interrupt Thiem. She requested to go into room 2, but was unable to because Karen Khachanov was doing a TV interview. It was then the organisers who deemed it appropriate to place Williams in the main media room and remove Thiem.
“I don’t think he’s mad at Serena or anybody. I just think it was an unfortunate situation that I thought was funny (laughter) and we joked about it just before.” Federer commented.
“That’s why I’m very much aware of what happened, and that’s why we are laughing in the locker room about it now.”
“At the moment I’m sure I understand he was, like, What is going on? It’s a joke. How he said it, it was great. I love his accent.” He joked.
A bad personality
The 25-year-old has spoken about the press conference incident to Eurosport on Sunday. Saying that neither Federer or Rafael Nadal would have done the same in what appeared to be a dig directly at Williams.
“Actually, I wasn’t angry or frustrated. Maybe for a couple of minutes or so. It is just the principle,” he told Eurosport.
“It doesn’t matter, if it is me who sits in there. I still made a wrong statement. I said that I am not a junior anymore. But even if a junior is in there, every player has to wait.
“It is a matter of course. It also shows a bad personality in my opinion. I am a 100 percent sure Federer or Nadal would never do something like that.”
Thiem will play his fourth round match on Monday against Gael Monfils.
