‘F**king joke’: Andy Murray unleashes over ugly US Open ‘cheating’ saga
Andy Murray cut loose at World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas and the officials after some controversial tactics in his five-set epic defeat at the US Open.
Murray showed his legendary tennis spirit after pushing the in-form World No.3 to a fifth set in the opening round of the US Open before losing 2-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
'NEVER SEEN WORSE': Fans rage after 'awful' scenes rock US Open
WOW: Andy Murray suffers x-rated wardrobe malfunction at US Open
The match had everything, from incredible tennis, a fiery Murray pump-up and even an X-rated wardrobe malfunction for the Scot.
But, Murray and fans in the arena became perturbed when Tsitsipas - who caused a stir before the Grand Slam when he admitted he wasn't vaccinated - started to hold up play between sets and games.
Having been accused of taking extra long breaks in the past, Tsitsipas took a couple of toilet breaks in between sets and games.
Murray became incensed, while Tsitsipas was off-court, and accused the World No.3 of taking way too long to delay his momentum.
"What for 20 minutes every time," a furious Murray asked the official to why Tsitsipas was taking so long.
"How long do you think that was. What's he doing?
"It's never taken me that long to go to the toilet."
In a seperate incident, Murray was 0-30 up on Tsitsipas' serve when the Greek changed racquet.
The halt of momentum frustrated Murray and the World No.3 went on to hold serve.
Andy Murray clearly unhappy with Stefanos Tsitsipas' extended toilet breaks! Lashes out at the supervisor#USOpen pic.twitter.com/24haG7r7g0
— Lakshya (@LakshyaNotLaksh) August 30, 2021
"You guys just do nothing," Murray said.
"Let's talk about it after the match, but now is when it matters."
Following the match, Murray was clearly infuriated and offered Tsitsipas a 'cold' handshake at the net.
He then went on a rant as he packed his bags.
"It's a f**king joke, every f**king week, f**king under-12," he said.
Multiple reports claimed Murray was heard saying Tsitsipas was 'cheating' following his off-court break.
Sounded like Murray was pretty clearly accusing Tsitsipas of getting coaching and cheating after he got broken to open the fifth set following Tsitsipas' long off-court break... #USOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 30, 2021
Tsitsipas lands a great return to break Murray at the start of the fifth.
'He's cheating,' Murray informs his team. Presumably still fuming about that lengthy bathroom break.— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) August 30, 2021
Fans sided with Murray, after watching Tsitsipas' tactics, and even pointed out the crowd had become 'hostile' towards the World No.3.
#3 Stefanos Tsitsipas survives an odyssey, 2-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 over Murray.
No love lost between these two with Murray's cheating accusations, but Tsitsipas is the winner.
"It's a fucking joke, every fucking week, fucking under-12," seethes Murray as he packs.#USOpen— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 30, 2021
And to no surprise Tsitsipas goes on to win that point. Any time Murray to about to break through, Tsitsipas continues to find any way to delay the match to ruin the rhythm of Murray. Yet no word from the official on the 20 minute break? Ridiculous. https://t.co/LZHaaYOAQH
— JSPicks (@JSPicks18) August 30, 2021
Hardly an honourable win. Gutted for @andy_murray https://t.co/skmRqOHknD
— Lou Fraser (@loubelou88) August 31, 2021
One of the coldest handshakes of Andy Murray's career.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 30, 2021
“I lost respect for him.”
-Andy Murray in press on Stefanos Tsitsipas.#USOpen— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 31, 2021
Tsitsipas verrrry quickly falling in to my 'Djokovic' bucket #USOpen
— deano (@deanoo22) August 30, 2021
At the end of this epic match I hope @andy_murray doesn’t feel compelled to embrace Tsitsipas at net. I really worry about everyone who hugs that guy. @usopen #USOpen
— Oindrila Mukherjee (@oinkness) August 30, 2021
Murray complaining again about #usopen doing nothing about Tsitsipas and his ridiculous extended bathroom breaks. Ridiculous. I used to like to like #Tsitsipas but no longer.
— Stephen Wahl (@stevewahI) August 30, 2021
I’m inside Ashe. Crowd is openly hostile toward Tsitsipas when he returned from the break.
— Jodi Williamschen (@jodiw01) August 30, 2021
Andy has a point: Tsitsipas keeps taking breaks between the sets or even between the points when he's down but still they do nothing to avoid that 🤡 @ITFTennis @atptour this is what you should focus on but still you keep complaining about players skipping press conferences 🤡🤡
— Andrea Not Petkovic (@notpetko) August 30, 2021
I'm glad Andy is bringing this Tsitsipas #toiletgate into light. No other top 10 player talked about it. They should have. Now it will come in press.
— Archana (@ArchisticMind) August 30, 2021
Andy Murray unleashes on Tsitsipas post-match
Murray wasn't done with the controversy following the match.
During his post-match interview, Murray said he had: "Lost all respect" for Tsitsipas over his antics.
The three-time Grand Slam champ added even if he had won the five-set thriller he would have called out Tsitsipas for his behaviour.
“I would’ve said the same thing if I’d won, I promise. It was nonsense and he knows it," he added.
Much of the commentary of the match also revolved around Tsitsipas' stance before the tournament.
The World No.3 shocked many in the tennis community after he announced he hadn't been jabbed with his first dose of the vaccine, saying he still has some reservations.
However, the 23-year-old said he would get vaccinated if they became mandatory for players on tour.
His comments come after he admitted to struggling in the tour's 'bubble' environments, following up a strong French Open result with a shock first round exit at Wimbledon.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.