USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits to Andy Murray of Great Britain (not pictured) on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits to Andy Murray of Great Britain (not pictured) on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
One of the biggest fiasco at the US Open 2021 is the never-ending debate revolving around Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek player has received a lot of flak for his constant bathroom breaks. There have been mixed reactions to the same. Previously, Novak Djokovic has been questioned for his decision to take numerous breaks in between matches. When it comes to Tsitsipas, his coach Patrick Mouratoglou has defended him.
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PARIS, FRANCE May 27. Apostolos Tsitsipas and Patrick Mouratoglou, coaches of Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece watching him practice against Dominic Thiem of Austria on Court Suzanne Lenglen in preparation for the 2021 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on May 27th 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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It all started in Tsitsipas’ first round encounter against Andy Murray. Having been down for most parts of the match, the Greek star opted to take a break mid-match. His apparent reason was that he sweats profusely, hence having to change clothes. However, the British former World No.1 bought none of it, claiming that he lost his respect for Stefanos after the match. Although the youngster won the encounter, he came under a lot of scrutiny.
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Coach Mouratoglou defends Stefanos Tsitsipas
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece after beating Andy Murray of Great Britain on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The incidents were met with mixed reactions in the circuit. While some people said Tsitsipas was well within his rights to take the bathroom breaks, other laid out that it was unethical and a tactical plan. In his second round match against Adrian Mannarino, Tsitsipas repeated the actions, and was booed for the same. But after the match, Patrick Mouratoglou has defended the 23-year-old.
Mouratoglou on Eurosport. “Tsitsipas is everything but a cheater. I can’t hear stuff like that. (…) there was people saying stupid things about him texting his father. His phone was at the hotel”.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 1, 2021
In a recent interview, Mouratoglou said that the claims of Greece’s No.1 player ‘cheating’ were absolutely rubbish. He said “Tsitsipas is everything but a cheater. I can’t hear stuff like that. There was people saying stupid things about him texting his father. His phone was at the hotel.” Thus, the French coach shut down all the people critiquing the Greek sensation.
What do you make of Tsitsipas’ actions, and Mouratoglou’s claims? Either way, Stefanos Tsitsipas has been playing extremely well at the US Open this year. Up next for him, is a mouth-watering clash against the young Carlos Alcaraz. He will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form and go deep in the draw.
