Stefanos Tsitsipas has a new supporter: Reilly Opelka!
The American giant was asked to comment about the so-called toilet gate. Andy Murray was deeply upset when Stefanos Tsitsipas took a toilet break during their US Open first-round match. It took almost 7 minutes for Stefanos to go back and forth from the court and the Briton lamented the fact that his body was becoming cold and waiting so much was unfair.
It was not the first time tennis players had a nasty reaction on court when Stefano Tsitsipas got his toilet breaks. Sascha Zverev got ballistic during the semi-final in Cincinnati when Stefanos Tsitsipas got a toilet break after losing the first set. The German player also hinted that the Greek sensation was being coached by text in the toilet.
Stefanos Tsitsipas strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Reilly Opelka
Reilly Opelka was asked to comment on the episode and the American player was completely supportive of Stefanos Tsitsipas, saying that it is normal that it takes a bit more time to completely change the gear. In addition, the conditions are so sweaty that it’s important to have a full change.
“I think it’s ridiculous. I understand it’s getting press because tennis is lame and tennis media sucks and they’re terrible. It’s hot and humid, and for the media, the press that has never stepped foot on a tennis court in their life, have never been in the environment, couldn’t last 30 minutes out in this humidity, in this heat.
It’s physical; our sport is. My shoes are dripping; they’re leaking sweat. To change or to go after, you know, two sets we’re drinking, we’re hydrating a lot, we have to use the bathroom.
To change socks, shoes, my inserts in my shoes, shorts, shirts, everything, the whole nine yards, hat, it takes five, six minutes.”
About coaching…
Reilly Opelka excluded that Stefanos Tsitsipas was coached when going to the toilet.
“I don’t know Tsitsipas; I don’t know his situation, I doubt he’s getting coached. I highly doubt it. Today I couldn’t even take my bag in to change. I’m like, guys, my clothes and shoes are in here. You can come in and stand with me if you want”, he added.
Opelka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.24, Opelka has achieved an overall 17-16 match record in 2021. Reilly is currently competing at the U.S. Open where he conquered Soon-Woo Kwon 7-63 6-4 6-4.
Reilly Opelka will compete against the world no.60 Lorenzo Musetti in the 2nd round. Their record is 1-0 for Opelka.
Reilly was the runner-up in Toronto (Rogers Cup).
Tsitsipas at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.3 (career-high), Tsitsipas has managed to achieve an overall 49-14 match record in 2021. Tsitsipas is currently playing at the U.S. Open where he ousted Andy Murray 2-6 7-67 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will play the world no.44 Adrian Mannarino in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 9:00 pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Their head to head is 1-1.
The Greek conquered 2 titles in 2021 in Monte-Carlo and in Lyon. Tsitsipas got to the final in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel), in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) and at the French Open.
Stefanos won 7 titles in his career: 3 on clay courts and 4 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Reilly Opelka and Stefanos Tsitsipas faced off just on 2 occasions. Their current record is 1-1. The last time they fought against each other, Reilly Opelka won 6-7(2) 7-6(4) 6-4 in the semifinal in Toronto (Rogers Cup) on the 14th of August 2021.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
