'Not normal': Stan Wawrinka in bizarre blow-up over French Open water
Stan Wawrinka was at the centre of extraordinary scenes at the French Open on Monday after complaining to the chair umpire about the temperature of the water.
The 2015 French Open winner and three-time grand slam champion was dumped out of Roland Garros in the first round by local wildcard Corentin Moutet.
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Moutet beat Wawrinka 2-6 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 to earn the dubious reward of a second-round meeting with 13-time champion Rafa Nadal - who beat Australia's Jordan Thompson 6-2 6-2 6-2.
Wawrinka appeared very rusty, playing in just his fifth tour-level match in the last 15 months.
The 37-year-old Swiss star missed most of last season after having surgery on his left foot.
Wawrinka's frustrations boiled over when he complained to the chair umpire that the water he was given was too cold.
"It is not normal at a grand slam," he said to the umpire.
"Is that normal? Do you think it is normal?
"So you call someone. It has been three changeovers, I asked you for some water that is not fricking freezing.
"Because it is not good. You are at the French Open and you cannot get normal water! You think it is normal?"
Eurosport commentator Simon Reed had little sympathy for Wawrinka.
"No, it is not his problem - that is the thing Stan," Reed said.
"Sorry about the language, but maybe he is looking for a fight."
He’s right. Really cold water is actually harder on the body than room temp or slightly cold water. The body has to work harder to deal with the cold.
— Erik The Viking 🇺🇦 ✊🏼🪑 (@Electric_Erik) May 23, 2022
It's not an unreasonable request players always ask for room temperature water.
— lucefan (@lucefan) May 23, 2022
I think, from early on, Stan seemed tired & a bit grumpy. Mind you, not Andy Murray grumpy, but grumpy.
— Brian Boucher (@AthleticAnchovy) May 23, 2022
Players on a hair trigger given all the nonsense in the sport. Expect more of this as the tournament progresses
— Infinite Growth (@InfiniteGrowth9) May 23, 2022
Ivashka having issue with the water and the match hasn’t even begun
— a girl in Brooklyn (@agirlinbklyn) May 23, 2022
Wawrinka complaining about...water? What?
— . (@returnofserve) May 23, 2022
Stan Wawrinka crashes out in first round
Wawrinka admitted his lack of match practice came back to bite him.
"Unfortunately this is the reality of how I play at the moment," he said.
"I need training, a lot of work. I am playing well but not at the level for matches like that.
"This is the reality unfortunately of where I am.
"The frustration does not come from a comparison of my past level but because I know I could have done more and that some things did not go well."
Meanwhile, defending champion Novak Djokovic breezed into the second round, defeating Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3 6-1 6-0.
"I have to be pleased with the match," he said. "I struggled to adapt in the first set.
"He is a very quick player. The first set was close, but I cruised through the second and third.
"I always expect the highest for myself, but it was a very good start. I have been feeling well on clay in the past few weeks."
And Nadal was far too good for Thompson as the 13-time Roland Garros champion blew the Sydneysider away 6-2 6-2 6-2.
"Lucky there wasn't a mercy rule," Thompson said.
"A tough experience but a good one. At least, when I hang up my racquets, I can say I played him on his home court."
Elsewhere, British No.2 Dan Evans finally won a match at Roland Garros at the fifth time of asking.
A first-round loser in each of his four previous main draw appearances, Evans marked his 32nd birthday by beating Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-4.
American 18th-seed Reilly Opelka earlier lost to Filip Krajnovic in straight sets.
with AAP
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