Ernests Gulbis experienced cramps in the third set of his second-round match against Dominic Thiem, which he lost to his friend and practice partner, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Both players are coached by Austrian Gunther Bresnik, and warmed up together before the match.
"I started to have cramps. I thought that I pulled a muscle in the end of the third set, but I didn't pull it. It was just really tight, all the hip area," said Gulbis, adding that he did not finish the match just because he was playing a friend. "I think it would be more clear that I retire against him, save his energy, because he's my friend. But I don't like to retire if I can finish the match, you know."
Thiem, for his part, admitted he had not found it easy to put the friendship aside. "I mean, it's a really great win for me. It's first time 0-2 sets, first time five sets. I would prefer it against everybody else, but not him. I would be happier if it would have happened against someone else," said the 20-year-old Belgian.
The 11th-seeded Gulbis, despite reporting he had not been affected during previous matches, said he had also found it tough.
"I thought that it's not going to be so difficult, but mentally it was difficult. We were both really nervous throughout the match, I think. We both couldn't play far from our best tennis. I mean, the level we play in practice is much higher than we did today," said the 25-year-old Latvian.
"Probably if I would play somebody else I would be more relaxed. Then probably I wouldn't be so tired throughout the end of the third and fourth set."