Dominic Thiem being involved in the first truly notable incident of the 2019 French Open is surprising–more surprising, even, than Serena Williams’ third-round loss to Sofia Kenin on Saturday evening.
What’s even more shocking is that the Thiem incident and Serena’s loss were directly related.
It started when Serena’s 6-2, 7-5 setback against Kenin wrapped up at 8:17 p.m. Around 8:20 p.m., Thiem began his press conference in the main interview room. Before the 2018 French Open runner-up could get through more than three questions and answers into the English part of his interview, Serena was already outside the door waiting to get in.
Waiting not patiently, either.
It is true that Serena–upon her arrival at the interview area just a few minutes after storming out of Court Philippe Chatrier–volunteered to take interview room 2 since Thiem was in the main room. Tournament officials declined that offer, presumably thinking that a smaller space would not be able to accommodate all of the reporters…especially not on the heels of such a newsworthy result.
With plan B off the table and room 1 her only option, Serena was not about to wait around. She had already begun making a scene in the lounge directly outside the door to the room in which Thiem was currently occupying, the ITF chose to prevent things from escalating out of control and the world No. 4’s moderators to wrap things up right then and there in order to make way for Serena.
Just like that, Thiem was out and Serena was in.
But it did not end there, as the 25-year-old–“I am not a junior player anymore,” he declared–was moved from 1 to 2 for the continuation of the press conference. However, there ended up being no continuation.
“I don’t really get it, seriously,” a disgusted Thiem quipped as he plopped down in the chair of room 2. “I mean, what the hell? No, but it’s a joke, really…. I have to leave the room because she’s coming?”
When he learned that the resumption of his presser may be delayed for a few minutes as everyone got settled into the new venue, Thiem had had enough.
“I’m leaving also then. I’m not standing around. I can also do whatever I want.”
Video of the moment Thiem had to make way for Serena in the presser. He is furious! (Clip via TF) https://t.co/gt6yetWG2c
— Paps (@DatGoneIt77) June 1, 2019
And what he wanted to do was watch soccer (the Champions League final was starting in 30 minutes)–not give interviews in a room he was never supposed to be in while another player whose match had finished no more than 10 minutes ago was usurping his space.
Thus, Thiem was gone. But this unforeseen incident won’t soon be forgotten. His next presser following Monday’s fourth-round match against Gael Monfils should be an interesting one. Stay tuned….
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