Stefanos Tsitsipas ‘refuses to play’ as he argues with chair umpire over getting time violation during match against Daniil Medvedev
Stefanos Tsitsipas was left frustrated after getting a time violation and protested by refusing to play the match against Daniil Medvedev.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas argues with chair umpire (Images via CNN, X)
The 2024 Shanghai Masters has been marred with controversies. It started with a scoring blunder in the match between Flavio Cobolli and Stan Wawrinka. Then Alexander Zverev had an outburst against the umpire during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday (October 9), Stefanos Tsitsipas lost his cool and refused to play following an argument with the chair umpire Fergus Murphy during his match against Daniil Medvedev. As the two players took on each other in the fourth-round match, Tsitsipas was left angered after getting a time violation. He went on a rant against the chair umpire and claimed that he was being treated unfairly.
The issue arose when Murphy gave a warning to the Greek player for taking too long to serve, something that greatly irritated him, leading to an argument and some heated exchange.
Why are you doing this to me man? I’m the best about this on tour, the most consistent player about this on tour. Why are you guys against me so much? The last few months have been terrible. I don’t understand what’s gotten into you…I haven’t seen any of my opponents get a time violation besides myself.
Stefanos Tsitsipas argued with the chair umpire
The chair umpire, meanwhile, explained that the clock starts automatically and he has no control over it. He also assured Tsitsipas that it is standard practice and that everyone who does not follow the clock gets a time violation.
Stefanos Tsitsipas refuses to get back to play
While Stefanos Tsitsipas went back to serve at that time, he came back after being broken and continued his rant against the chair umpire. The Greek ace questioned the umpire’s credentials and asked him if he ever played tennis in his life.
My issue is the double fault you just took away from me. That’s the issue. Have you never played tennis in your life? You have no clue about tennis it seems like. Definitely, you have no cardio. You probably serve and volley all the time. Tennis is a physical sport. We need time over there. Show some compassion. We aren’t throwing darts out here.
Stefanos Tsitsipas stated
Tsitsipas not happy with the umpire after getting a time violation in his match against Daniil Medvedev in Shanghai
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 9, 2024
Stef: “Why are you doing this to me man?”
“The clock starts automatically.”
Stef: “I’m the best about this on tour, the most consistent player about this on… pic.twitter.com/ENwTFd2b1N
The rant continued as the World No. 12 asked to speak with the match supervisor and refused to continue the match. Despite the chair umpire assuring that the supervisor would be called during the next changeover, Tsitsipas refused to get up and play. He claimed that the chair umpire was gifting the game to his opponent with his unfair decisions.
The Tsitsipas/Murphy drama from earlier today: pic.twitter.com/qxMobL5Zpd
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 9, 2024
Even when the supervisor came, Tsitsipas continued his rant and claimed that he was being treated unfairly. He said that the chair umpire took a point away from him by giving him a time violation before a big point.
Let’s discuss, let’s talk. Your guy here decided to give me a time violation for something completely unreasonable after having to play so many rallies. He probably never felt how it is being out here in 40 degrees playing tennis…And he decided to give me a time violation before a big point. Which has happened with one of your Spanish guys previously in Cincinnati.
Stefanos Tsitsipas told the supervisor (H/T: Daily Express)
Despite the antics, Tsitsipas lost the match (3)6-7, 3-6, and went 4-10 to Daniil Medvedev in the head-to-head record.
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Ritesh Pathak
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