Toni Nadal continues Stefanos Tsitsipas saga – ‘He acted unfairly’

Stefanos Tsitsipas has stirred conversation during the US Open surrounding regulations on-court, and the discussion is still not over.

Renowned coach and uncle to Rafael, Toni Nadal, has added his input to the debate about the Greek’s actions in his run at the US Open this year.

Tsitsipas took a lengthy bathroom break between the fourth and fifth sets in his first round battle with Andy Murray, drawing calls of gamesmanship and condemnation as well as suggestions that the rule should be reconsidered.

Now, Nadal has called Tsitsipas out for his moves, writing about it in his column.

“I think that no follower of our sport can imagine Roger Federer or Rafael [Nadal], I don’t see why I cannot say it, looking for extra sporting shortcuts to achieve victory,” he wrote in El Pais.

“The way he [Tsitsipas] acted was not fair. Rafa or Federer would never do that. Stricter rules should be implemented for the bathroom breaks.

“Tsitsipas is undoubtedly a brilliant player and as such we expect him to win without the need for any ruse that he can profit from. Obviously you don’t need them.

“He is on his way to becoming a great champion, not only because of his victories but because of how he achieves them.”

The US Open has not been the kindest Slam to the Greek, whether with regards to fans or results.

His career-best run in New York is his worst among the four Majors, with this year’s third round equal to his 2020 result, the best he has managed.

Even at Wimbledon, on a surface unfamiliar to Tsitsipas, he hreached the fourth round back in 2018 as a 19-year-old.

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