Beaten this Saturday in the 3rd round of the Australian Open by the young American Learner Tien (7-6, 6-3, 6-3), the Frenchman Corentin Moutet revealed, at a press conference after the match, to have suffered discomfort in the shower, less than an hour before going on the court. “I was in the shower, I woke up on the floor,” he said.
Corentin Moutet failed to stop the revelation of this Australian Open, the American Learner Tien (121st player in the world), who had recently eliminated Daniil Medvedev after a marathon of almost five hours. And the 25-year-old left-hander did not manage to push his opponent to his limits, losing in three sets, despite a big battle during the first round (7-6, 6-3, 6-3).
Moutet, although recognized for his physical strength, seemed disturbed after around 1h30 of play, and his poor form raised questions. The left-hander explained afterwards, revealing that he had suffered discomfort before entering the court.
“I felt unwell 45 minutes before the match, in the shower. I don’t know what happened. I was in the shower, I woke up on the floor. Everything was black, I couldn’t not to be seen. It was a little disturbing. I didn’t have much bearings, I was a little stunned from the fall. I didn’t hurt myself, but I was stunned during the warm-up. there was a bit of panic to ask me how I was going to do it. It was hot today (Saturday), it was physically hard,” the Frenchman confided in comments reported by L’Equipe.
-“I spent 15 minutes in the dark”
Moutet, who had previously eliminated Australian number two Alexeï Popyrin and qualifier Mitchell Krueger, did not have time to consult a doctor before entering the court.
Despite his discomfort and cramps felt on the field, Moutet did not want to hide behind it, lucid about his limits in the face of the young American prodigy. He warmly congratulated the winner: “I want to say well done to him because what a player! I had never played him. Huge respect. I was supposed to be sleeping but I couldn’t help myself to watch his match (against Medvedev, Thursday evening) and it touches me to see a guy like that surpass himself. I know how hard it is, what effort it requires.
Despite this defeat, Moutet remains proud of his journey in Melbourne: “Proud to have gone to the end”.
