NEW YORK — When it comes to going to the bathroom, how long is too long? That is, believe it or not, a genuine argument at the US Open, courtesy to a squabble between Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas about the tennis toilet break the regulation.
The debate on Tuesday at, ahem, Flush-ing Meadows centered on whether it was “reasonable” that play was delayed for more than eight minutes because Tsitsipas took his time changing out of his sweaty outfit for a new one between the fourth and fifth sets of a nearly five-hour victory over Murray the day before.
“How do you feel about this? Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, was overheard stating to the match official, “You’re umpiring the match.” “I’d want to hear your thoughts… “Do you think this is a good idea?”
Murray, who changed his clothes on his changeover bench before the last set, is one among those who have lobbied for a regulation change.
Put a time restriction in writing, for example. Or face harsher repercussions than Tsitsipas’s mere warning from the chair umpire for a time violation on Monday, when he and Murray were both wet from 70 percent humidity and temperatures in the low 80s Fahrenheit (high 20s Celsius).
The USTA said it needs to “continue to review and explore potential adjustments to the rules, whether for bathroom breaks/change of attire or other areas, that can positively impact the pace of play for our fans and ensure the fairness and integrity of the game,” calling pace of play “an important issue on our sport.”
If Tsitsipas’ goal was to play games, he succeeded.
Murray lost focus, and the extended stoppage in play cooled him down, presenting physical difficulties for a 34-year-old man with a prosthetic hip.
Murray didn’t let it go either on Tuesday. Instead, he sparked controversy by tweeting a photo that included emojis of a toilet and a rocket ship: “Today’s fact.” Stefanos (Tsitsipas) takes twice as long to go to the restroom as Jeff (Bezos) takes to go into space. Interesting.”
Alexander Zverev, an Olympic gold winner who is also his coach, accused Tsitsipas of seeking aid from his father, who is also his coach, after a lengthy trip to the restroom during their semifinal at the Cincinnati Masters a little more than a week ago. During matches, coaching is not permitted.
“He’s been gone for more than ten minutes. His father is on the phone, messaging. When he first came out, his strategy had entirely altered. It wasn’t only me who saw it; everyone else did as well. After his triumph on Tuesday, No. 4 seed Zverev stated, “The whole game strategy changes.” “I’m thinking: Either he travels to a really wonderful location or there’s communication there.”
Both Tsitsipas and Isner had defenders.
“We’re having a drink. We’re drinking a lot of water. We need to go to the restroom. After advancing to the second round with a win Tuesday, No. 22 seed Reilly Opelka of the United States remarked, “It takes five, six minutes to change my socks, shoes, inserts in my shoes, shorts, shirt, everything, the full nine yards, cap.” “By the time I walk to and from the court…,” she says.