Gael Monfils refuted a report claiming too much PlayStation was behind a hand injury after the French 10th seed progressed at the Australian Open.
Monfils showed no sign of injury as he moved through to the fourth round at Melbourne Park thanks to Saturday's 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-3 victory over qualifier Ernests Gulbis.
Afterwards, Monfils was asked about his hand and fitness following a report citing video games, and the 33-year-old entertainer took aim at the media.
"You know, as I say, it's misunderstanding with people. I say this in a funny way, to be honest, but it's a disgrace, to be honest with you, because I'm fine," Monfils told reporters in a news conference.
"I'm in the second week, playing great tennis. I think it's just someone who, I don't know, try to — you know, I played ATP Cup, was fine. I practiced here for one month. I was really fine.
"I never said I was hurt. Somehow, you know, playing PlayStation, this? Come on. And it's easy, because I think I'm a good name to make up good story like that. Now you know."
🙅♂️ 𝕀ℂ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ 🙅♂️@Gael_Monfils returns to the second week at the #AusOpen for the first time since 2017, def. Ernests Gulbis 7-6(2) 6-4 6-3.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/shp89Oh8Wi
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2020
Monfils will face fifth seed Dominic Thiem for a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals for the second time in his career.