Tennis news - Stefanos Tsitsipas slams new rules at Next Gen ATP Finals

Published 09/11/2018 at 11:06 GMT

Stefanos Tsitsipas has expressed his disdain at two rules being experimented with at the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates in his group match against Frances Tiafoe of USA during Day Two of the Next Gen ATP Finals at Fiera Milano Rho

Image credit: Getty Images

The 20-year-old, who is appearing at the innovative event in Milan, ranted to reporters about two of the latest additions to the rules.

In particular, the prodigious talent from Greece admitted that he is not a fan of the lightning-paced format, with tie-breaks at 3-3, no advantages after deuce and first to four games.

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Oh, or the new requirement for players to retrieve their own towels from rails at the back of the court; or mid-match coaching. Take it away, Stefanos...

Shortened sets

"[It's] very stressful from the beginning of the match. Every point counts. You can get broken any moment. So there was a lot of stress, many tie-breaks.

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece talks to his coach in his group match against Jaume Munar of Spain during Day One of the Next Gen ATP Finals at Fiera Milano Rho

Image credit: Getty Images

DIY with towels

"One thing that I didn't like that much was the towel thing. I always, you know, had to run for the towel, always had it in my mind when I was playing.

"I think having the towel whenever you need it, it's very helpful. It's one thing less that you have to think about. So I believe to be playing your best game you just don't need to think about whether you're going to take your towel now or later.

You can just call the ball kid. I think the ball kid, it's their job to provide towels and balls for the players. Nothing else. That's it. Pretty much it.

Taylor Fritz of USA uses the new towel box in his match against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the group stages during Day One of the Next Gen ATP Finals at Fiera Milano Rho

Image credit: Getty Images

"I was confused myself. I completely forgot that I have to take it [the towel]. I was saying to one of the physios just before I walked in here that it would be very nice to have two boxes on each side with each player's name so you can just go there and leave your towel on one side and have another one on the other side. So like this, you are covered.

"It was a bit strange. You know, I saw a towel, which I was not sure if it was mine or my opponent's towel from before. And I was always using new towels for almost every set."

Mid-match coaching

"The coaching on court I'm really not a big fan of, to be honest with you. I think the player should find solutions by himself. I don't really like to talk when I'm playing on the court."

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece talks to his coach in his group match against Jaume Munar of Spain during Day One of the Next Gen ATP Finals at Fiera Milano Rho

Image credit: Getty Images

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