Rarely does a player attract criticism or hate from the audience and fellow players for taking bathroom breaks. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas was slammed for the same with many terming him as a cheat for taking breaks late in matches during the 2021 US Open. The Greek tennis star drew a lot of backlash from English veteran Andy Murray, after a lengthy toilet break during their first round match at Flushing Meadows. Murray blasted Tsitsipas, admitting that he had lost respect for the player. “I think he’s great for the game. But I have zero time for that stuff at all and I lost respect for him. It’s not so much leaving the court. It’s the amount of time. I spoke to my team before the match about it and said to expect that, prepare for it if things were not going his way. You cannot stop the way that affects you physically. When you’re playing a brutal match like that, stopping for seven, eight minutes, you do cool down,” said the English veteran in an interaction with reporters.
However, this controversy is hardly the only aspect of Tsitsipas's legacy in the game, with the Greek's triumph in the 2019 ATP Finals making him the youngest winner of the prestigious tournament in eighteen years. The tennis star also enjoys a stellar reputation in his home nation, with a ranking of No. 3 in the world making him the highest-ranked Greek player in history. Tsitsipas quickly established his credentials of being capable of defeating the best in the business, with his runner-up finish in the 2018 edition of the Canadian Open. The Greek became the youngest player to defeat four top ten opponents in a single tournament, during that stellar campaign showcasing his potential to the full extent. Tsitsipas has won 7 singles career titles so far, with 2019 marking his most successful season ever. Tsitsipas will certainly be expected to surge ahead and record more success in the game, considering the prowess he enjoys and damage he is capable of.
One of the biggest weapons in the Greek star's favour is his ability to hit powerful groundstroke winners as well as a supremely strong forehand. The latter enables Tsitsipas to finish points off of the first serve. Another trick which the tennis star uses to great effect is using his high topspin rate to pull opponents off the court for winners. Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft was full of praise for the Greek star, hailing him as a player who was "unbelievably mature".
"Tsitsipas is so unbelievably mature, not just the way he handles himself, but also the way he plays his tennis. It's like he's been out there for years. He's like an old soul on court and a throwback to 80's style tennis. I love the way he comes forward, but it's not just the way he can volley so exceptionally well, he knows how to position himself and he also uses the set-up volley very well by trying to finish the point quickly. It's the first volley deep into the court and he angles the return the other way - he does everything beautifully," she said on Sky Sports Arena.
"He's got so much choice at his disposal. He's a wonderful, wonderful tennis player," added Annabel.
Australian Open: SF (2019, 2021)
French Open: F (2021)
Wimbledon: 4R (2018)
US Open: 3R (2020, 2021)
