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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Simon Cambers at Roland Garros

Australia’s Adam Walton on tennis lessons next to horses and being a ‘late bloomer’

Australian wildcard Adam Walton celebrates after beating Daniil Medvedev in the first round of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros
Australian wildcard Adam Walton celebrates after stunning Daniil Medvedev in the first round of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros. Photograph: Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Adam Walton’s phone has hardly stopped pinging in the past 24 hours after the 27-year-old Australian produced a huge shock at the French Open with a stunning victory over Daniil Medvedev in the first round. It was just his fourth win at grand slam level, his first victory over a top 10 player and by far his best win in terms of ranking.

“It’s been pretty crazy,” Walton told Guardian Australia, sitting in a small area of the media centre at Roland Garros, a day on from his brilliant five-set victory over the former world No 1. “There was a lot of media around the match and a lot of messages. It’s great to see them all, everyone reaching out. I haven’t had a chance to respond to all of them as I’m obviously still in the tournament, just trying to stay as locked in as possible.”

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