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Stefanos Tsitsipas US Open 2021
Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tennis News, US Open Tennis

Slam legend suggests rule change in light of Stefanos Tsitsipas debate


A US Open great has suggested how tennis officials could fix the problems highlighted by the match between Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin has given a potential solution to the problem of players taking too long on comfort breaks.

Tsitsipas has stirred up the conversation once more after he took a lengthy break before his deciding set with Murray, leading to frustration for the Brit and much discussion to follow.

Austin suggests that perhaps the aspect of coaching could help, as she tweeted out recently.

“I dislike on-court coaching as has been documented,” she begins. “But, threat of coaching might be the only way to curb LONG ‘change of momentum’, ‘gather my thoughts’ timeouts.

“[The] offending player might think twice [before] going over time. Bathroom, change of attire [are] legal – it’s repeat offenders who make it [a] problem.”

Tsitsipas is not the only player to bend the rules slightly to their advantage, but he has been the most prominent in recent weeks.

He provoked similar frustrations from Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati, when the German claimed that the world number three walked off court with his phone, allowing him to receive coaching from his father via text.


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