Stefanos Tsitsipas was at the center of a weird controversy after being publicly accused of abusing the toilet breaks. Strange enough, there were no set rules about how long a toilet break could take. Therefore, some players were accused of abusing the rules to break their opponents’ rhythm when they were struggling.
Finally, the ATP stated what the rules would be in the future, not only for the toilet breaks but also for the medical time-outs.
Toilet breaks and Change of Attire
Since 2022, these will be the rules:
- Players can take a maximum of 3 minutes once they have entered the toilet
- Players will receive 2 minutes for a change of attire in addition to the three-minute toilet break
- Note: Change of attire may only be done in conjunction with a toilet break (unless authorised by the Chair Umpire)
- A player may only take one toilet break per match
- Toilet breaks can only be taken during a set break
- Time violations will apply if a player is not ready within the allowed time
Medical Time Out
For some reason, it is not clear when the new rules regarding the medical time out will be enforced. However, these will be the rules:
- One 3-minute time out per match to be taken during a changeover or a set break only.
- If the player cannot continue to the next change of ends, he will forfeit the points required to get to that change of ends/set break
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Now the world no.4, Tsitsipas played his last match on the 15th of November when he surrendered to world no.5 Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Tsitsipas owns a composed 55-19 match record. Tsitsipas conquered 2 titles in 2021 in Monte-Carlo and in Lyon. Stefanos reached the final in Acapulco, in Barcelona and at the French Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas |
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