This defeat marks Medvedev's 7th first-round elimination at Roland Garros across his 10 appearances. The 30-year-old has lost 10 of his 20 matches at the Paris Grand Slam. Consequently, Medvedev acknowledged he might need to adjust his schedule for the next season.

"I will consider playing an additional tournament before Roland Garros," Medvedev stated after his loss to Walton. "Typically, I don't do that, but if current results are unsatisfactory, why not try a new approach? That is the sole option I will contemplate for next year."

Medvedev during his first-round match against Walton at Roland Garros, on Suzanne Lenglen court, Paris, France on 26/5. Photo: Reuters.

Last year, Cameron Norrie eliminated Medvedev in the opening round after he squandered a break advantage in the deciding set. A similar scenario unfolded in Paris this year, as the former world number one again let victory slip despite holding a lead in the fifth set.

On Suzanne-Lenglen court, Walton displayed resilience. The Australian player had previously challenged Medvedev in Cincinnati last year and again showed no intimidation when facing the former world number one.

Medvedev demonstrated his class at various points, hitting 54 winners — significantly more than Walton's 34. However, the sixth seed also committed 54 unforced errors.

In the deciding set, Medvedev led 4-2. However, after Walton saved two break points in the subsequent game, the world number 97's performance elevated. He held his serve to reduce the score to 3-4, then won the three final games to complete his comeback after 3 hours 22 minutes. In the second round, Walton will play Zachary Svajda, who recently defeated Alexei Popyrin 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 7-5.

Medvedev entered Roland Garros with positive momentum, having just reached the semifinals of the Rome Masters and pushing world number one Jannik Sinner to a third set before a narrow loss. However, in Paris, things quickly unraveled for the Russian player.

"I know I can play well at Roland Garros; it is just more challenging for me than other Grand Slams, particularly in the first round," Medvedev added. "I did not play my best tennis. At times he played very well, at times not so well, but overall, I could not elevate my game enough to win the entire match."

Vy Anh