Roger Federer said Dominic Thiem was right to be angry at being kicked out of his own press conference so that Roland Garros organisers could accommodate a defeated Serena Williams.
Austria's Thiem, the fourth seed in the men's event and the 2018 runner-up, was conducting his post-match press obligations after reaching the last 16 on Saturday.
However, he was then informed that the main interview room was needed by American superstar Williams who had just suffered a third round loss to Sofia Kenin.
It was the 23-time Grand Slam title winner's earliest exit at a Slam in almost five years and she was eager to be away from the tournament site as quickly as possible.
"It's a joke," fumed 25-year-old Thiem to media officers after being told he should finish his interviews in a smaller room.
"I have to leave the room because she's coming. What the hell, I don't care. I can also do whatever I want."
"I don't know exactly what happened. I understand Dominic's frustration. I don't think he's mad at Serena or anybody. I just think it was an unfortunate situation."