Stefanos Tsitsipas eager to clear the air with Andy Murray as Greek says ‘I don’t think I broke any rules’

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andy Murray post-match handshake

Stefanos Tsitsipas is happy to speak to Andy Murray after the three-time Grand Slam winner accused him of cheating during their heated first-round match at the US Open.

The duo battled for four hours and 39 minutes as the Greek prevailed 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to secure his place in the second round.

However, Murray was furious with the world No 3 for taking several comfort breaks as well as a medical timeout, accusing him of “cheating” during the match.

Comment – Andy Murray talked himself out of a famous win against Stefanos Tsitsipas

The third seed took a medical timeout after the third set for treatment on his left foot while a lengthy bathroom break after the fourth set also irked the former world No 1.

“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,” Murray said in his post-match conference.

Tsitsipas was asked for his views on the issue and insisted he played by the rules.

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

“I don’t think I broke any rules. I played by the guidelines, how everything is. Yeah, definitely something for both of us to kind of chat about and make sure. I don’t know how my opponent feels when I’m out there playing the match. It’s not really my priority.

“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.”

Tsitsipas was also questioned about the length of his breaks with one taking seven minutes and another eight minutes.

“I think it’s clear that I took my clothes with me when I left the court. That’s the amount of time it takes for me to change my clothes and to walk back to the court takes a little bit of time,” he replied.

“I don’t know what’s the rule regarding that, if there is one. But as far as I know you’re allowed to have two toilet breaks to go change your clothes in a five-setter, and one in a three-setter. I followed that throughout my entire career. I’ve never broken any rules, so I see no reason that that’s a problem anyways.”

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