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….
thoughts?
She might well be the WTA GOAT, However shes a poor loser, its like she believes eveything should be about her win or lose, i can perfectly understand DT been irritated he had just won his match , and had every right to his time in the spotlight, except Serena made it all ” me, me me, and sod everybody else !
It wasn’t Serena’s decision. They only wanted a bigger room because Serena lost and the media vultures wanted to pick on the carcass.
that isn’t true
To add this was disgusting and should never have been aloud to happen in the first place, the ITF need to step in here, and stop this happening again ….
What a diva
Would they do this to Rafa. Roger or Novak?
The way I see it, Thiem is the only party NOT at fault here. First, there is the obvious fact that Serena is a spectacularly poor loser. That she would make a scene over the need to wait TEN MINUTES for the main interview room is outrageous. It’s a tantrum unworthy of any adult, but it’s even more ridiculous in a professional setting by an athlete of Serena’s caliber.
That tournament officials caved to her unreasonable demands so quickly make them just as culpable as she. Their answer should have been, “No, you need to wait…” because any other solution would have been completely disruptive to Thiem. Had she taken interview room 2, the reporters in Thiem’s presser would have been obligated to abandon it for the greener pastures of an irate Serena anyway.
That they kicked Thiem – the 2018 FINALIST – out of his own presser is shockingly disrespectful. They permitted Serena to bully them with her position and prestige. What a disappointment.
yep
But Serena offered to use Room 2 it’s the organisers who wanted her PC in Room 1 because they wanted to pick over her loss.
There was no offer. This was all demand, make no mistake. I like Serena, but she is a miserable loser.
I don’t think anyone is saying that she deliberately set out to undermine Thiem’s presser. Or at least *I’m* not trying to say that. I’m saying that she disregarded him completely. The only appropriate course of action would have been to wait a few minutes for him to finish.
Serena’s a big name. They’re not going to put her in a small interview room, regardless of whether she won or lost. She bullied them because she didn’t feel like waiting and Thiem paid the price.
Serena Williams has long been the biggest diva in tennis, men’s or women’s. She hates losing maybe more than any other player and she is probably the worst loser in tennis, men’s or women’s. She should have followed protocol and waited for Dominic to finish, but she thinks she’s entitled to different treatment.