Daniil Medvedev backed 172nd-ranked Thiago Seyboth Wild to break the top 30 by the end of the year after suffering a shock French Open first round exit at the hands of the Brazilian on Tuesday.
As far as the mercurial Russian is concerned, he was just happy to turn his back on another roller-coaster clay court season.
It was Medvedev's fifth loss in the opening round at Roland Garros in seven appearances.
"I had a mouthful of clay since probably third game of the match, and I don't like it. I don't know if people like to eat clay, to have clay in their bags, in their shoes, the socks, white socks, you can throw them to garbage after clay season.
"Maybe some people like it. I don't. I am happy to have it finished," added Medvedev, who arrived in Paris buoyed by winning his first ever clay court title at the prestigious Italian Open last week for his fifth trophy of 2023.
Seyboth Wild had only previously played one match at the Slams at the US Open in 2020. Apart from that brief ray of light, he had tried and failed eight times to qualify for the majors.
"If he continues to play that way, in my opinion, end of the year, he's top 30," said Medvedev.
