US Open: Andy Murray aims new jibe at Stefanos Tsitsipas in toilet break row

Stefanos Tsitsipas discovered himself the butt of the jokes on the US Open after Andy Murray aimed one other jibe on the Greek third seed within the row over lengthy lavatory breaks.

Murray was not within the temper to let the difficulty slide, although, even after an evening sleeping on it.

On Tuesday, he joked it took much less time for American billionaire Jeff Bezos to fly into house than Tsitsipas spent in the bathroom.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev joined in when discussing the favourites for the title, saying: “Stefanos can play properly – if he would not go to the moon and again for a bathroom break, that will even assist. I needed to, I am sorry.”

Whereas Murray made loads of individuals chortle along with his dig – with greater than 74,000 likes and 14,000 retweets, his third hottest tweet of the 12 months – it was designed to additional spotlight a problem which he stated is “not good for the game”.

“I really like that Andy went to sleep final evening with feelings working excessive and has woken up this morning and doubled down on his opinion,” former British primary Laura Robson stated on BBC Radio 5 Reside.

“He isn’t the primary participant to complain about this situation.”

Why is Tsitsipas gaining a fame?

Tsitsipas, 23, has gained a fame as somebody who takes lengthy breaks throughout matches, with Murray turning into the most recent to query why.

Murray stated he had anticipated the French Open runner-up to go off courtroom and advised his crew to organize for lengthy breaks “if issues weren’t going his approach”.

Fourth seed Zverev claimed the Greek was doing it “each match”.

“It is not regular. It occurred to me within the French Open, to Novak Djokovic on the ultimate of the French Open,” Zverev stated.

“I feel in Hamburg towards Filip Krajinovic he was complaining, towards me in Cincinnati it was ridiculous, and now right here once more. I feel gamers are catching up on that.”

After their latest Cincinnati Masters semi-final, Zverev accused Tsitsipas of utilizing breaks to speak to his father and coach Apostolos mid-match – which isn’t allowed on the ATP Tour and which the Greek has strongly denied.

Requested once more about that incident at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, Zverev stated: “He is gone for 10-plus minutes. His dad is texting on the telephone. He comes out, and abruptly his tactic utterly modified.

“It is not simply me however all people noticed it. The entire recreation plan adjustments.

“I am like both it is a very magical place he goes to or there may be communication there.”

Tsitsipas stated he had “by no means in my profession executed that” when requested in regards to the accusation of communication.

“I do not know what sort of creativeness it takes to go to that time,” he stated. “That is not one thing I need to take severely as a result of it is completely ridiculous to be fascinated about that.”

Australian participant Nick Kyrgios, by no means one to shrink back from controversy, additionally weighed in.

“What number of quantity twos does this man take?” he cheekily replied to a US Open Instagram publish asserting Tsitsipas’ win towards Murray.

Throughout his match towards Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, Kyrgios additionally introduced up the difficulty.

After the Australian complained about having to stroll to get a towel, umpire Carlos Bernardes advised him it was “a part of the sport”.

“It is not a part of the sport,” Kyrgios replied. “So texting somebody is a part of the sport too? Taking 20-minute lavatory breaks is a part of the sport?”

Is Tsitsipas doing something mistaken?

Tsitsipas, who has gained extra matches on the ATP Tour this 12 months than every other participant, didn’t break any guidelines towards Murray.

Gamers are allowed two breaks for utilizing the bathroom and altering garments in a five-set match, with breaks solely permitted on the finish of a set.

“A participant might request permission to depart the courtroom for an affordable time for a bathroom break,” Grand Slam guidelines state.

The USA Tennis Affiliation stated it “regards tempo of play as an necessary situation”.

“We have to proceed to assessment and discover potential changes to the principles, whether or not for lavatory breaks/change of apparel or different areas, that may positively influence the tempo of play for our followers and make sure the equity and integrity of the sport,” it added.

In addition to the eight-minute break on the finish of the fourth set, Tsitsipas additionally left courtroom for a bathroom break on the finish of the second set and had a medical time-out for remedy on a foot harm earlier than the fourth set.

Tsitsipas stated afterwards he has appropriately adopted the rules all through his profession.

Whereas lots of his friends have been crucial of his actions, Tsitsipas did discover himself an ally in American participant Reilly Opelka.

Opelka stated the flak given to the Greek was “ridiculous” and criticised the response of journalists who “have by no means stepped foot on a tennis courtroom of their life”.

“I perceive it is getting press as a result of tennis is lame and tennis media sucks and so they’re horrible,” he stated.

“To vary or to go after, you recognize, two units we’re ingesting, we’re hydrating loads, we’ve to make use of the toilet.

“To vary my socks, footwear, my inserts in my footwear, shorts, shirt, every little thing, the entire 9 yards, hat, it takes 5, six minutes. Then by the point I stroll to and from the courtroom.

“I strictly go to alter as a result of it is scorching and it is humid.

“If individuals do not perceive that, then clearly they’ve by no means spent a day within the lifetime of an expert athlete or come near it.”

Do the principles want altering?

In his post-match interview, Murray known as for the principles round lavatory breaks to be modified – a suggestion which has been supported by many within the sport.

British doubles participant Naomi Broady agrees and says what Tsitsipas is doing quantities to “gamesmanship”.

“He is positively inside the guidelines however it’s the principles that want amending,” she stated on BBC Radio 5 dwell.

“There is no such thing as a time restrict for the way lengthy you possibly can go away the courtroom for. It is not solely the psychological aspect – you are distracting your opponent, making an attempt to interrupt their rhythm – however it’s your physique.

“Your physique has cooled down. Andy needed to come out and be the one to serve and I feel he acquired damaged.”