What did Andy Murray say about Stefanos Tsitsipas? Why British tennis star was angered after US Open 2021 loss

Andy Murray bowed out of the US Open after a five set thriller with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In an encounter which swung this way and then that, three time Grand Slam champion Murray lost the deciding set 6-4 to his 23-year-old Greek opponent.

The 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 6-3 6-4 defeat left a sour taste in the mouth of Murray who was angered by an eight-minute toilet break taken by Tsitsipas before the fifth set.

This is what British tennis ace Murray said about Tsitsipas following their US Open 2021 first round match at Flushing Meadows in New York.

What did Andy Murray say about Stefanos Tsitsipas?

Andy Murray said he "lost respect" for Stefanos Tsitsipas in the press conference after the pair’s five-setter in the first round at the US Open.

Tsitsipas was accused of taking lengthy bathroom breaks much to the annoyance of 2012 champion Murray.

Murray said afterwards: “It’s not so much leaving the court. It’s the amount of time.

“It’s just disappointing because I feel it influenced the outcome of the match. I’m not saying I necessarily win that match, for sure, but it had influence on what was happening after those breaks.

“I rate him a lot. I think he’s a brilliant player. I think he’s great for the game. But I have zero time for that stuff at all, and I lost respect for him.

“That’s what I feel. But if everyone else feels like that’s totally cool and there’s no issue with it, then maybe I’m the one being unreasonable.

“But I think it’s nonsense. And he knows it, as well.”

What did Stefanos Tsitsipas say in response to Andy Murray’s comments?

Stefanos Tsitsipas has denied bending the rules with his bathroom breaks during his dramatic five-set victory over Andy Murray at the US Open.

As well as his lengthy break before the fifth, Tsitsipas also left court for a toilet break at the end of the second set and had a medical time-out for treatment on a foot injury before the fourth.

Tsitsipas said: “If there’s something that he has to tell me, we should speak, the two of us, to kind of understand what went wrong.

“I don’t think I broke any rules. I played by the guidelines, how everything is. I don’t know how my opponent feels when I’m out there playing the match. It’s not really my priority.

“As far as I’m playing by the rules and sticking to what the ATP says is fair, then the rest is fine. I have nothing against him. Absolutely nothing.”

What are the rules around toilet breaks at the US Open?

Players are permitted to leave the court for a bathroom break.

However, they are limited to two breaks for using the toilet and changing clothes during a five-set match and breaks are only allowed to be taken at the end of a set.

The Grand Slam Rulebook states: "A player may request permission to leave the court for a reasonable time for a toilet break, a change of attire break, or both, but for no other reason. Toilet breaks should be taken on a set break and change of attire breaks must

be taken on a set break."

This is limited to one break per singles event during a best of three-set match, and two breaks during a best of five-set match.

In all doubles matches, each team is entitled to a total of two breaks. If partners leave the court together, it counts as one of the team’s authorised breaks.

The Rulebook continues: In all cases, the nearest assigned bathroom should be used. The player is expected to have needed attire available on court.

"Additional breaks will be authorised but will be penalised in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule if the player is not ready to play within the allowed time.

"Any player abuse of this rule will be subject to penalty in accordance with the Unsportsmanlike Conduct section of the Code of Conduct."