Murray steps up rant against Tsitsipas’ US Open bathroom breaks

The Scot tweeted that it took longer for the world number 3 to go to the bathroom than it took billionaire Jeff Bezos to fly into space.

Tsitsipas took a recess that lasted almost eight minutes before the decisive fifth set of their game on Monday. The Greek then proceeded to break serve and win the match.

Murray: Breaks changed match's outcome

Murray claimed that the length of the pause caused him to lose his adrenaline and changed the outcome of the game.

Tsitsipas had also taken another bathroom break before the third set as well as a medical timeout to receive treatment on his foot before the fourth.

Murray said his opponent’s acts were “nonsense”, and stated that he had lost respect for him.

Tsitsipas for his part pointed out that he had not broken any rules, as there were no set time limits for comfort breaks.

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Zverev: Bathroom breaks a pattern

The controversy continued with Alexander Zverev criticizing Tsitsipas as well. He said that the Greek’ actions smacked of junior tennis tactics and did not befit his stature as a top tennis player.

“It’s happening every match. It’s not normal,” said Zverev, who had complained about similar behavior by Tsitsipas in a recent semi-final match at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Zverev had insinuated then that Tsitsipas could have been receiving illegal advice from his father and coach Apostolos via text.

“He’s one of the best in the world at what he does. I do not believe that he needs to do that,” the German added.

Opelka: Comfort breaks are necessary

American Reilly Opelka however said that taking long breaks was totally understandable for players.

“The press that have never stepped foot on a tennis court in their life, have never been in the environment, couldn’t last 30 minutes out in this humidity, in this heat,” he said.

Opelka also said he didn’t believe that Tsitsipas was being coached during the breaks.