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via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 13, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas after winning their final match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 13, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas after winning their final match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Stefanos Tsitsipas once again stirred the debate surrounding lengthy bathroom breaks during his match against Andy Murray yesterday. Although the Briton did well to lead two sets to one, the Greek star’s break during the match had Murray fuming towards the end after losing a five-set thriller.
After his arduous victory, Tsitsipas’ team revealed current World No. 1 Novak Djokovic as the inspiration behind the Greek picking up this trait.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ team reveals Novak Djokovic’s role in his bathroom breaks
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Earlier this year, Tsitsipas had an excellent run in clay court tournaments. The 23-year-old won the Monte-Carlo Masters and reached the final of the Barcelona Open where he lost to Rafael Nadal. His exploits made him the fifth seed at the French Open.
At Roland Garros, Tsitsipas pulled off huge wins against Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev to reach the final, where he faced Djokovic. In the final, the Greek started brilliantly, taking the first two sets to put himself in an excellent position for his first Grand Slam title.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-06-13T173451Z_409637415_UP1EH6D1CU1FC_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-FRENCHOPEN.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 13, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the final against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
However, a prolonged break taken by Djokovic saw the Serbian make a comeback in the following three sets and win his 20th career Grand Slam. It’s no secret that a break can change the momentum of a game, since it stops a player in good touch from keeping that going.
And after his victory yesterday, Tsitsipas’ team revealed to Annabel Croft how that final made him understand the value of such long breaks in a match.
Annabel Croft, who says she spoke to the Tsitsipas team today, mentions twice that Tsitsipas learned the value of a bathroom break from the one Novak Djokovic took during the French Open final.
Catherine just superbly deployed the word 'hoo-ha'. Loo-ha, surely?
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) August 31, 2021
Although the Greek star drew flak for his frequent breaks, there’s no doubt he gains a lot from such breaks. Fans can expect to see more of the same from the 23-year-old in the remainder of the US Open.
READ MORE: All You Need To Know About Novak Djokovic’s Training Routine
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Tsitsipas to face Adrian Mannarino in the second round of the US Open
While the debate rages on, the World No. 3 will face unseeded Adrian Mannarino in the second round. Earlier this year, the Frenchman was Dominic Thiem’s opponent in the Madrid Open when the Austrian suffered a wrist injury.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-08-30T191207Z_1684452629_MT1USATODAY16654228_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-US-OPEN.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits to Andy Murray of Great Britain (not pictured) on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Although Tsitsipas needed five sets to defeat Murray, he will be expected to advance to the third round later this week.
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