A great battle is expected to take place today, in the second round of Wimbledon, between Stefanos Tsitsipas and the Andy Murray (first serve after 19:30, broadcast by Novasports1). The two great tennis players will meet for the third time in their careers, counting so far one victory each.
The British three-time Grand Slam winner wants to overcome the 24-year-old’s hurdle and progress on his favorite surface, with the support of his compatriots in the stands. On the other hand, the Greek tennis player wants to… throw him out of his “home” and celebrate another great victory on the grass.
Although today they speak in the best words about each other, their on-court relationship started with episodic way two years ago.
The toilet break and the “loss of respect”
Their first meeting took place on 2021, at the US Open. Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrated huge prevalence in five sets 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 against the great British champion. The latter not only did not lose hands down, but had one big outbreak during and after the match, accusing the Greek tennis player of stealing.
The reason he was furious was the toilet break (which for a long time occupied the opponents of Tsitsipas). The holder of three Grand Slams blamed the Greek champion for an eight-minute “break” he took before the fifth deciding set.
In fact, he was heard shouting towards his box “it’s stealing” and he expressed his complaints to the referee and the match official. “I have never taken so long on the toilet“, he was heard to say.
“It’s not a problem that he left the court, but how long he was gone. It makes no sense and he knows it. It’s annoying because it seems like I’m saying it out of bitterness because I lost, but I promise I’d say the same thing if I wonMurray said after the match and added:
“It’s disappointing because affected the result. I’m not saying I would definitely win, but it affected what happened.”
He then addressed his opponent in even harsher terms. “It’s not good for the sport, it’s not good for broadcasting, it’s not good for the fans. Every time it was before my service. In the fourth set, when I was 0-30 he chose to switch rackets. It’s no accident that happened I think he’s good, he’s a great player. He is great for the game. But I don’t have time for that, I’ve lost my respect».
Tsitsipas’s answer
For his part, Stefanos Tsitsipas had argued that he did not do anything prohibited by the regulations. “Clearly I took my clothes with me when I left the court. That’s how long it takes me to change clothes and get back on the court“, while as to whether he understands his opponent’s irritation, he replied: “I didn’t break any rules. I don’t know how it feels when I play. That’s not my priority».
The tweet that set… new fire
The beef was taken to social media by the Scotsman. The 36-year-old continued to show his irritation with a tweet, in an attempt at biting humor.
“Fact: Stefanos Tsitsipas takes twice as long to go to the toilet as it takes Jeff Bezos to fly into space. Interesting».
Fact of the day. It takes Stefanos Tsitipas twice as long to go to the bathroom as it takes Jeff Bazos to fly into space. Interesting. ?? ??
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) August 31, 2021
This was followed by… chaos on social media, with users divided, without Tsitsipas taking a position.
The end of the feud
Their meeting at Wimbledon brought their rivalry back to the surface, but it seems to be firmly in the past. This, at least, was supported by Stefanos Tsitsipas after qualifying for the second round of the London Grand Slam, recalling that they were teammates in the Laver Cup.
“The Murray thing is over a long time ago. We played in the Laver Cup together, in the same team. I have forgotten, he has forgotten“, he mentioned about their … past in the press conference after the victory over Dominic Thiem and added:
“I respect him, he has done great things in tennis. I can’t wait for the game. This court is like his… living room.
A few years ago I saw him win his first Wimbledon title. I shudder to think about it. I understand what she went through and every time I see it, I get chills all over my body».
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