US Open 2021 - 'What's the issue?' - Stefanos Tsitsipas hits back at bathroom break boos after beating Adrian Mannarino

ByEurosport

Updated 02/09/2021 at 09:21 GMT

Stefanos Tsitsipas produced a fine display to knock out Adrian Mannarino in the second round of the US Open, but his long toilet break during the match did not go down well with the crowd. Former British number one Andy Murray criticised Tsitsipas after the Greek took long bathroom breaks in their first round match earlier in the week.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Image credit: Getty Images

Stefanos Tsitsipas was booed by the crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium during his four sets win over Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday evening.

The Greek players went for a toilet break for more than seven minutes after losing the third set which received a negative reception from those in attendance.

It follows on from Andy Murray saying he “lost respect” for the 23-year-old for taking long breaks during their first-round clash on Monday which Tsitsipas won in five sets.

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The world number three powered his way through to the third round, slamming down 27 aces in his 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0 victory over the Frenchman and the Greek insisted he is not breaking any rules.

The Grand Slam rulebook states players should take a “reasonable” amount of time for toilet breaks, but there is no set time limit.

“If I break a rule, sure, I’m guilty. I agree; I’m not doing something right,” Tsitsipas said after the match which was played with a roof on due to heavy rain from remnants of Hurricane Ida.

“If I’m staying within the guidelines, then what’s the issue?

“I haven’t done anything wrong, so I don’t understand. The people love the sport; they come to watch tennis. I have nothing against them. I love the fans. But some people don’t understand.

“That’s all. They don’t understand. They haven’t played tennis at high level to understand how much effort and how much difficult it is to do what we are doing.