Sloane Stephens Calls for ‘Rule’ Change After Andy Murray vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Bathroom Break Debate at US Open
Follow Us
The debate around bathroom breaks continues to do the rounds at the ongoing US Open 2021. With Andy Murray starting it after taking issue with Stefanos Tsitsipas, several players are voicing their opinions on the same, with Sloane Stephens joining the conversation.
Following her victory over 21st seed Coco Gauff, the American tennis star believed rule changes are in order.
Sloane Stephens addresses gamesmanship debate after second-round victory
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The 28-year-old notched an impressive victory over Gauff yesterday to punch her ticket to the third round. Despite Stephens’ World No. 66 status, she defeated the 21st seed in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. While the bathroom break debate rages on, Stephens retweeted Murray’s tweet on Tsitsipas’ bathroom break during their first-round match.
Fact of the day. It takes Stefanos Tsitipas twice as long to go the bathroom as it takes Jeff Bazos to fly into space. Interesting. 🚽 🚀
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) August 31, 2021
Although she admitted the retweet came because she found it funny, she made her stance clear towards the leniency shown by such actions. During her post-match press conference, she admitted rule changes need to be made in order to curb the issue surrounding bathroom breaks.
Trending
Despite Stressful Business Duties, Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Can’t Help but Think About Pampering Daughter Olympia
May 03, 2024 11:03 AM EDT
Coco Gauff Brushing Aside Madrid Open Heart-Break With ‘Sexy’ Dinner Date Impresses Boyfriend Jalen Sera and Danielle Collins
May 02, 2024 05:57 AM EDT
‘Do You See How Big This Area Is?’ – Intimidating Serena Williams Reveals Serious Moment With Husband Alexis Ohanian on Their First Meeting in Italy
May 02, 2024 08:39 PM EDT
‘Coco Come Collect Your Coach’ – Fans Brutally Troll Brad Gilbert as He Naively Falls for Carlos Alcaraz Involved Misinformation
May 01, 2024 12:05 PM EDT
Madrid Open 2024: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Jiri Lehecka; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
May 03, 2024 06:35 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Sloane Stephens on the gamesmanship conversation happening in tennis now. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/j1CfucTE9C
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 2, 2021
She said, “I can’t speak for what happened in that match, but on the girls’ side there is still a lot of that. It’s gamesmanship, and I think there definitely needs to be a rule, or changes.
They make a lot of rule changes for smaller things, like they took one minute off the warmup. But, if someone goes to the bathroom for nine minutes, no one says anything. There are so many little things that can be changed and looked at, but I think that hasn’t been done.”
Who is Sloane Stephens’ Father, John Stephens?
Stephens believes six to eight minute-breaks are too long
When asked about the time limit that should be allowed, the American mentioned anything longer than five minutes should be questioned.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I don’t think you should be gone from the court for, I don’t know. 6-8 minutes is a long time to leave a match,” said the 28-year-old. “It changes the whole momentum of a match. And if you’re changing your clothes, then what are you changing, or what are you doing in there?
“When you get into like six, seven, eight, nine minutes, like, okay, ‘What are you doing in there? Like, do you need help? I can come and help you!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, will face either Angelique Kerber or Anhelina Kalinina in the third round.
WATCH STORY: HILARIOUS: Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens, and John McEnroe’s Appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’