Eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has hit out at tennis officials after crashing out of a highly-charged first round match at the US Open on Tuesday.
The Australian Open semi-finalist slumped to a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (7), 7-5, loss to Russian 21-year-old Andrey Rublev, who recently defeated Roger Federer on the tour. During the tense clash Tsitsipas struggled physically with cramping. However, the talking point involved his confrontation with umpire Damien Dumusois.
It began when the Greek was slammed with a code violation for allegedly receiving coaching. A penalty he received shortly before going two sets down in the match. Then in the fourth set, Tsitsipas started to struggle with cramping and took a medical time out at 3-2 to receive some medication. A few games later the tension between Tsitsipas and Dumosois peaked when he was warned about taking too long during a changeover.
“I have to change [clothing], give me a warning, I don’t care,” Tsitsipas told Dumusois. ”
Do whatever you want.” He later added: “You’re all weirdos.”
In accordance with the rulebook, Tsitsipas was subsequently issued with another penalty for a time violation which also triggered a point deduction. Meanwhile, 2017 quarter-finalist Rublev continued to weather the storm on route to the second round.
Following his second consecutive first round defeat in a grand slam, the 21-year-old openly criticised some umpires during his press conference. Saying they have preferences over other players. However, there is one official that has the full support of Tsitsipas.
“I wish that all the chair umpires were like Mohamed Lahyani because I believe he’s the best in the game, and we need more like him in tennis because he’s fair to everyone.” He said.
“I feel like some of them have preferences when they are on the court.”
Speaking specifically about Dumusois, Tsitsipas believes the official ‘had something against him.’ Dumusois is a Gold Badge Chair umpire and has previously officiated grand slam finals. Including the 2010 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon Championships. However, he has also had run ins with players. Including Nick Kyrgios earlier this year.
“The chair umpire was very incorrect in what he was telling me during the match.” Said Tsitsipas.
“I don’t know what this chair umpire has specifically against my team, but he’s been complaining and telling me that my team talks all of the time when I’m out on the court playing.’
“I believe he’s not right, because I never hear anything of what my team says from the outside. And there is nothing that I personally believe can help my game or make me play better.’
“This chair umpire, I don’t know, he has something against me. I don’t know why.” He added.
2019 has been a tale of two halves for Tsitsipas in grand slam tournaments. He started the season by reaching the last four of the Australian Open in January. Then at Roland Garros he reached the fourth round before losing a marathon five-set clash with Stan Wawrinka. Since that loss, he has not won a grand slam match.
“It’s in the back of my head somewhere. I still feel it. I still feel the pain of that loss.” He reflected on his match against Wawrinka.
“I’m trying to erase it from my memory and move on, because there were players with similar situations in the career which affected their career. I don’t want to be that player. I want to be tough mentally, and I want to constantly improve, become better. I cannot let things like that get into the way.”
As Tsitsipas exits Flushing Meadows, Rublev will play France’s Gilles Simon in the second round.
