French Open star swerves domestic abuse question in tense interview after beating Medvedev | Tennis | Sport

Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild refused to answer questions about getting charged with domestic abuse after he shocked world No.2 Daniil Medvedev at the French Open. The world No.172, who came through qualifying, won his first ever Grand Slam match 7-6 6-7  2-6 6-3 6-4 by smashing his 69th winner.

Seyboth Wild, 23, was charged in June 2022 with physical and emotional abuse against his ex-girlfriend Thayane Lima. He had initially responded with a defamation lawsuit.

But asked about the case in his press conference, the Brazilian said: “I don’t think it’s a subject we should talk about right here. I don’t think it’s a question you should be asking anybody. I don’t think it comes to you to decide whether it’s a place to be spoken of or not. You can write whatever you want.”

The former US Open junior champion, now 23, had two set points in the second set tiebreak but then fought back for the biggest win of his senior career and booked himself a spot in the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. “I’ve watched Daniil play for my entire career,” he said. “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.

“I think that I have proven to myself that hard work is the only way to be successful at anything, so that’s basically what I take out from this match,” he said. “Of course I’m happy. Of course I’m happy. But the tournament is not over, and I have worked really hard to be here, and I’d like to stay as long as possible.”

Speaking after his shock defeat, Medvedev said: “Tough match. I don’t think I played that bad, but he played well. I think he’s a great player. He won US Open juniors, if I’m not mistaken, stuff like this.