Last update on. From the section Tennis
After their match at the US Open, Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas had a cold handshake.
US Open 2021 Venue Flushing Meadows New York Date: 30-08-12 September Coverage: Daily radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra/BBC Sport website/app, with selected text commentaries and match report on the app and website
After Andy Murray's jibe at Stefanos Tsitsipas, the US Open third seed in the row about long bathroom breaks, Stefanos Tsitsipas was the target of jokes by the US Open.
British's Murray lost to Tsitsipas on Monday. He said he had "lost respect" for Tsitsipas, and accused his opponent, who he claimed "cheated" by leaving court for eight minutes. However, the Greek did not break any rules.
Murray, however, was not in the mood for the matter to be forgotten, even though he had spent the night asleep on it.
He joked that it took Jeff Bezos, an American billionaire, less time to fly into space than Tsitsipas in the toilet.
Alexander Zverev from Germany joined the discussion when discussing the favorites for the title. He said: "Stefanos is able to play well - as long as he doesn't go back and forth to use the toilet, that will also help." Sorry, I had to.
Murray's joke made a lot of people laugh - his tweet was liked more than 74,000 times and retweeted 14,000 times, making it his third most-retweeted tweet of the year. However, it was intended to highlight another issue that Murray said was "not good for the sport".
"I love Andy going to bed last night with emotions running high, and waking up this morning with his opinions doubled," Laura Robson, former British number one, said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He is not the only one to complain about this problem."
Why is Tsitsipas getting a reputation?
Tsitsipas (23 years old) has a reputation for taking long breaks during matches. Murray is the latest to be questioned about this.
Murray stated that he expected the French Open runner up to leave court, and instructed his team to prepare to take long breaks "if things weren't going his way".
Fourth seed Zverev claimed that the Greek was doing it every match.
It's not common. It happened to me at the French Open, and Novak Djokovic in the final of French Open," Zverev stated.
"I believe that Filip Krajinovic was complaining in Hamburg against Filip Krajinovic, but against me in Cincinnati it seemed ridiculous and now we are back." "I think players are catching on to that."
Zverev had accused Tsitsipas, after their Cincinnati Masters semi-finals, of using breaks to communicate with his father and coach Apostolos during the match - something that isn't allowed on the ATP Tour. The Greek strongly denied it.
Zverev answered a question about the Flushing Meadows incident on Tuesday. He said, "He's gone 10+ minutes. His father is texting on his phone. He emerges, and his tactic has completely changed.
"It wasn't just me, it was everyone who saw it. The game plan has changed.
"It's either a magical place that he visits or communication there.
When Tsitsipas was asked about the communication accusation, he replied that he had "never done that" in his career.
He said, "I don’t know how much imagination it takes to get to that point." "That's something I don't want to take seriously, because it's absurd to even think about."
Tracy Austin, a three-time Grand Slam champion, suggested this solution Tuesday as the tennis toilet row continued.
Nick Kyrgios from Australia, who is not afraid to face controversy, also participated.
"How many number 2s does this guy have?" He laughed at a US Open Instagram post in which Tsitsipas had announced Murray's win against Murray.
Kyrgios brought up the subject during his match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain.
Carlos Bernardes, the umpire, told the Australian that he had to walk to obtain a towel after he complained.
Kyrgios responded, "It is not part of the games." So texting someone is also part of the game? "Taking 20-minute breaks to go to the bathroom is part of this game."
Tsitsipas is doing something wrong?
Tsitsipas has won more matches this year on the ATP Tour than any other player. However, Murray was not harmed.
In a five-set match with five players, each player is allowed to take two breaks to use the bathroom and change clothes. Breaks are not permitted at the end.
Grand Slam rules provide that players may ask permission to leave the court for a reasonable period of time in order to use the toilet.
Tsitsipas took an eight-minute break at end of fourth set. He also had to leave court for a bathroom break at end of second set. Tsitsipas was also treated for a foot injury during a medical timeout.
Tsitsipas stated that he had followed the guidelines throughout his career.
Reilly Opelka, an American player, was a critic of Tsitsipas' actions.
Opelka claimed that the criticism of the Greek was "ridiculous" while criticizing the reaction of journalists who have "never stepped foot on a court of tennis in their lives".
He said, "I understand that it's getting media because tennis is lame. Tennis media sucks. They're terrible."
"To change or go after, you'll need to drink two sets, we're hydrating quite a bit, and we must use the toilet.
It takes about five to six minutes to change my socks, shoes and inserts in shoes, shirt, shorts, and hat. It takes me about six minutes to walk to and back from the court.
"I only go to change when it's hot or humid.
"If people don’t get that, it is clear they have never lived a day as a professional athlete.
Are the rules changing?
Murray, in his post-match interview called for changes to the rules regarding bathroom breaks - a suggestion that has been supported widely by the sport.
Naomi Broady, a British doubles player, agrees that Tsitsipas' actions amount to "gamesmanship".
She stated that "He is definitely within the rules, but it's those rules that need to be amended," on BBC Radio 5 Live.
There is no limit to how long you can stay on the court. You're not just distracting your opponent and trying to break their rhythm, but also your body.
Your body has cooled. Andy had to step up and serve, and I believe he did.
