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World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas sees no problems in him taking long bathroom breaks mid-match because he is not violating any of ATP's rules. Tsitsipas took a seven-minute long bathroom break during his US Open first round clash versus Andy Murray and did the same in his second round clash against Adrian Mannarino.
Murray absolutely unloaded on Tsitsipas following their clash as he accused the Greek of unfair play and said he lost his respect for him. "I said that we should both (Andy and me) discuss it, the two of us, because I followed the rules.
I didn’t break anything, any rules. I think there is rule for that which really doesn’t specify the time that you have to spend in the bathroom. It is important to take it if you have to. First of all, you carry less weight on you with all the sweat.
You feel rejuvenated, you feel fresh, and you don’t have all the sweat bothering you and coming in your face, on your fingers, everywhere all over your body. It makes you feel better," Tsitsipas said, per Tennis Majors.
“For me it is important to take that break. For someone else probably not. And everyone has his own time. I try and be as quick as I can. Sometimes I just need a bit more time. That’s all. If I break a rule, sure, I’m guilty.
I agree, I’m not doing something right. If I’m staying within the guidelines, then what’s the issue?”
Tsitsipas further defends himself
"It’s just my personal needs," Tsitsipas added. "Some people have other needs.
Some players take, as we know, much more than 25 seconds between points, which is fair. Please tell me it’s fair. It has happened. That is true. I don’t have anything against any player, and I never complain of what other players do.
Since a young kid, my parents have taught me not to watch other people’s business, and concentrate on myself, do my job. I just don’t understand when some players go and criticize other players, or during a match they put too much emphasis on it”. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas has made the US Open third round, in which he will be clashing Carlos Alcaraz.