On Saturday, Stefanos Tsitsipas had a not-so-fantastic day when he lost a horrible semi-final in Cincinnati against Alexander Zverev. The Greek player was leading Zverev by 2 breaks in the third set before imploding.
The toilet break
There was a huge controversy after Stefanos Tsitsipas once again took a long toilet break after the first set. Sascha Zverev was extremely upset for waiting to resume the match after more than 8 minutes and Tsitsipas was heavily booed when he was back on court.
During the press conference that followed his match, Stefanos commented:
“Nothing crazy. It’s not astrophysics. I’m heading towards the locker room to go change my T-shirt. I don’t think it would be very nice if I change shorts on the court in front of everybody.
I’m a person that sweats a bit more than others. I think it’s acceptable; it’s just how it works for me. I’m not going to stop doing it, because it makes me feel better when I step out on the court to begin the new set.
I somehow managed it, but it wasn’t nice of him. I will check the rulebook later. A player shall be allowed to go to the bathroom in each single set, as far as I know.
We are trying to play tennis out there, obviously sweating a lot, giving our best effort and our effort is not really being appreciated. I’m very sad to see it be this way.”
Zverev’s reaction
During an interview with Tennis Channel after the match, Zverev revealed that while he is fine with Stefanos, he prefers not to bend the rules as he does.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Currently the world no.3 (career-high), the Greek played his last match on the 21st of August when he was defeated by world no.5 Alexander Zverev 6-4 3-6 7-6(4) in the semifinal in Cincinnati (draw).
Until now, during this year the Greek owns a compiled 48-14 record. Tsitsipas conquered 2 titles in 2021 in Monte-Carlo and in Lyon. Stefanos got to the final in Acapulco, in Barcelona and at the French Open.
Zverev in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2021
Now ranked no.5, Alexander has achieved an overall 37-11 match record in 2021. The German is playing at the moment in Cincinnati where he overcame Lloyd Harris 7-63 6-2, Guido Pella 6-2 6-3, Casper Ruud 6-1 6-3 and Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 3-6 7-64.
Alexander Zverev will play the world no.7 Andrey Rublev in the final. Their current record is 4-0 for Zverev.
Alexander has won 3 titles in 2021 in Acapulco, in Madrid and in Tokyo.
Zverev won 16 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts, 6 on clay courts and 5 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev squared off 9 times. Their current head to head is 6-3 for Tsitsipas. Previously, the last time they squared off, Alexander Zverev won 6-4 3-6 7-6(4) in the semifinal in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) on the 21st of August 2021.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
