NEW YORK – After his first defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday at the US Open, Andy Murray said his opponent had unfairly gained an advantage by taking a long break in the bathroom and timely medical time.
“It’s disappointing because I feel it influenced the outcome of the match,” Murray said. “I’m not saying he necessarily won that game for sure, but it influenced what happened after those breaks.”
Tsitsipas won the hotly contested marathon match, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in four hours and 48 minutes. The No. 3 seed and finalist of the 2021 French Open received medical treatment with his left foot after losing the third set and went to the bathroom after winning the fourth set.
Murray complained in court about the time Tsitsipas was wearing the toilet at the time and once the game resumed. He remained frustrated when talking to the media after the match.
“The problem is you can’t stop the way this physically affects you,” Murray said. “When you play such a brutal game, you know, stopping for seven, eight minutes, you cool off. You can prepare mentally as much as you want, but it’s the fact that it physically affects you when you take such a long break, well , several times during the match.
“I think when he took the medical timeout it was right after he won the third set. Also in the fourth set, when he had Love-30, he chose to leave; I don’t know if he changed the racket or what. it did, however, yes, it cannot be a coincidence that it happens at the moment.
“I do not think so [his foot] it was causing him no problems. The match continued two more hours and a little later. It was good, it moved very well, I thought. “
Tsitsipas said he did not break any rules and that clothes were changed in the bathroom.
“I don’t think I broke any rules,” he said. “I played following the guidelines, as is everything. Yes, definitely something for both of us to chat about and make sure of. I don’t know how my opponent feels when I’m playing the game there. It’s not really my priority.
“As for the rules and I abide by what the ATP says is fair, the rest is fine.”
Murray is the second player in less than two weeks to accuse Tsitsipas of having earned an unfair advantage through breaks in the bathroom. After Tsitsipas took an eight-minute break after the first set of his semifinal against Alexander Zverev at the Cincinnati Open, Zverev told the referee that he believed Tsitsipas was cheating and receiving inadequate training through his Mobile Phone.
“He grabbed the bag with the phone and everything in it,” Zverev told the court. “That was the same in Paris and it will be the same as every other tournament I’m playing.”
When asked about Zverev’s allegations, Murray will not speculate on whether Tsitsipas received training during his break and said he had “no idea” if that was happening. Murray, however, said Monday’s actions changed his view of Tsitsipas.
“I think he’s a brilliant player,” Murray said. “I think it’s great for the game. But I don’t have time for that, and I lost respect for him.”