There could not have been a better start to the US Open 2021 than watching the animated Andy Murray on the court. Although he lost the epic four hours and 40 minutes long battle, he won the hearts of tennis fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium and around the world. However, Murray wasn’t particularly smiling about the way things went down in the fifth set.
Before the decider set, third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas again excused himself for a lengthy bathroom break. Accordingly, Murray accused the Greek professional of getting illegal on-court coaching. Previously, the German Alexander Zverev had an identical reaction to Tsitsipas’s bathroom break in Cincinnati.
"He is cheating".
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 30, 2021
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Upset throughout the final set, the former World No.1 valiantly fought to survive the first round. But in response, Tsitsipas brought his best tennis to win 2-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Andy Murray loses respect for Stefanos Tsitsipas after US Open 2021 R1
Even during the fifth set, the 2012 champion, Murray, kept hurling how the break had changed the match’s prospect. Afterward, while packing his things up, he drew parallels of the competition with U-12 tournaments.
“It’s a f**king joke, every f**king week, f**king under-12,” Murray murmured. Taking it further, the former World No.1 stated that he lost respect for his opponent after the match. “I lost respect for him,” Murray said. “I would’ve said the same thing if I’d won, I promise. It was nonsense and he knows it.”
“I would’ve said the same thing if I’d won, I promise. It was nonsense and he knows it.”
-Andy Murray’s final remarks tonight. #USOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 31, 2021
Andy Murray's full final answer is worth a read. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/iDoQsKUmfV
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 31, 2021
Although Murray lost, it was one of his best-ever tennis matches in the past couple of years. Similarly, the Greek God Stefanos Tsitsipas, too, had to put forward his masterclass to deny the Scot.
Regrettably, Murray would be disappointed for a while to not stay in New York for more time. But indeed, the best of him is still alive in him.
As per the draw, Tsitsipas will go on to meet Adrian Mannarino in the second round. Fascinatingly, even he survived a tight five-set encounter on Day 1 of the US Open 2021.
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Murray jokes with the chair umpire during US Open 2021 opener
Unquestionably, the three-time Grand Slam champion and the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium were in full sync. That is why it got more challenging to remain on the losing side.
While Murray did earn more break point opportunities, he could not hold on to them. Eventually, Tsitsipas had to serve for the match at 4-5 in the fifth set.
Funnily enough, Murray asked the chair umpire with a wink, “Can I get a trainer now?” Subsequently, he declined it, laughing a bit in himself.
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"Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I get the trainer?" Andy Murray asks the chair umpire, says with a wink towards the gamesmanship he's feeling.
"Nahhhhhh, it's OK."
Cracking himself up late in the fifth set, is Andy.#USOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 30, 2021
Hopefully, the best of Murray will keep coming back on the Tour. Besides, the US Open has just got started. Will the ATP take action against Tsitsipas’s consistent and long bathroom breaks?
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Watch this story: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Others Top Funniest Moments at the US Open