'Nobody knows the f***ing rules': Andy Murray blows up
Andy Murray has blown up at the US Open, unhappy with his opponent’s tactics during a heat break.
The US Open implemented its heat rule for the second day running to give suffering players some relief from the brutally hot temperatures and high humidity at Flushing Meadows.
The heat rule allows the women a 10-minute break between the second and third sets of their matches and the men the same amount of time between the third and fourth sets.
The heat rule is common in the women’s game but was implemented at the Open for the first time on Tuesday for the men.
And it appears the men are struggling to grasp the concept.
Players aren’t supposed to receive any coaching or treatment during the break, but Murray was left fuming when he alleged that Fernando Verdasco did exactly that during their second round clash.
When Murray got back on court he unloaded on the chair umpire, complaining about Verdasco talking to members of his team in the locker room.
“I had to tell them because nobody knows the f***ing rules,” he raged.
Andy Murray ticked off about players not knowing the rules about coaching during the 10-min heat break. Murray says Verdasco was in the lockers with coach and hitting partner "just chatting."
A disadvantage of making new rules on the spot… Not everyone knows the fine points.
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) August 29, 2018
And Murray was even less impressed when Verdasco clinched victory in four sets, winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Verdasco has since hit back at Murray’s claims.
“I saw my coach but we didn’t talk one word,” Verdasco said after the match. “I just dressed quickly and went back to the court.”
“Obviously if Andy say that, I don’t want to say that he lied but I didn’t talk one word with my coach or any member of my team.
“I know exactly the rule and I don’t want to be the one breaking it.”
‘Nightmare’ heat continues to wreak havoc
On Wednesday (AEST), Novak Djokovic used his 10-minute respite to cool off in an ice bath alongside his opponent.
The cool down appeared to recharge the Serb, who finished off his first-round opponent Marton Fucsovics 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0.
The sweltering conditions also left France’s Alize Cornet dazed and confused as she returned from her heat break with her shirt on back-to-front.
When she realised her mistake, she walked towards the back of the court as she pulled off her striped top, briefly exposing her black sports bra, before slipping it back on the right way round.
However, much to her annoyance and bemusement, that quick outfit adjustment earned her a code violation from umpire Christian Rask.
Many people labelled the umpire’s decision as sexist, with one fan tweeting: “You cannot be serious! Men change their shirts on court all the time … that’s ridiculous!!!!”
The USTA on Wednesday released a statement admitting Cornet should not have been sanctioned.
Organisers on Tuesday said they would consider closing the roofs on the two stadiums overnight to cool them off but on Wednesday said the roofs had remained open overnight.
There are still no plans to close the roofs on either Arthur Ashe or Louis Armstrong stadiums on Wednesday, they said.
with AAP