WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 21, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/S. Tsitsipas

6-4, 3-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: About the match, very hard-fought battle out there, 2 hours and 45 minutes almost. What are your thoughts following the match?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Great fight. You know, not very ideal way to end it after fighting back and having all the chances in the world. Only I can take it as a learning experience.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. A tough one out there. You were up 4-2 in the third set. Are you able to explain exactly what happened?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Yeah, I mean, I made a few technical mistakes. I think I couldn't find my serve at that time, and it wasn't really serving me very much. After adjusting it a little bit, towards the end I think I kind of found it, found my way around it, started thinking a bit different.

I wish I could be in that kind of mindset at that given moment. But that's what I said, learning experience. I mean, I've got to learn from that and see the court a bit different next time when I'm up in this kind of state. Yeah.

Q. Firstly, congratulations on what was an outstanding match. What was it like playing that match and being out there in that atmosphere? What did the two of you all say to one another at the end?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Nothing special. Congratulations each other.

What was the other question?

Q. What was it like actually playing that match? The conditions were obviously looking a bit tough because it was hot and humid, et cetera. If you could comment on being in the middle of a match like that which was so good, obviously not for you, but still overall.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Look, the referee doesn't have the best reputation on tour among players. I wanted to go change in the third set, because I was pouring wet. Couldn't even hold my racquet.

The referee decided not to give me that break that I really wanted to go change clothes and change all of my wet clothes that, you know, weren't ideal for me to continue at that third set.

I somehow managed it, but it wasn't nice of him not to let me go. I don't know if the player's reaction influenced that, or it is in the rulebook, which I don't think it is, I will check it later. A player shall be allowed to go to the bathroom in each single set, as far as I know it.

The referee, for some reason, wanted to customize the rules up to his liking, which was not nice. I have had issues with this referee in the past. I don't know why he's so strict. I don't know why he wants to head towards his way, and, you know, it's not nice. It's not nice.

We are trying to play tennis out there, obviously sweating a lot, giving our best effort and our effort is not really being appreciated. I'm very sad to see it be this way.

Q. You have had a fair few long bathroom breaks, as it is, this week. People are starting to see that it's sort of accumulated. Is there a reason why they seem to be so long? What are you doing in there?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I have already said it. Nothing crazy. It's not astrophysics. I'm heading towards the locker room to go change T-shirt. I don't think it would be very nice if I change shorts on the court in front of everybody. I prefer to do that in the locker room, including socks and shoes.

I don't think there is anything crazy there. I'm a person that sweats a bit more than others. I think it's acceptable. Some people were teasing me and making fun of this, but it's just how it works for me. People have to understand.

I'm not going to stop doing it, because it makes me feel better when I step out on the court to begin the new set.

Q. If I'm not mistaken, I think the rule is one bathroom break per three-set match. I think that's the rule.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Is that the rule?

Q. I believe so. Changing clothes might be separate.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I would like to check it out. I don't think it is this way. Especially if you're battling for a very long period of time and a very long, it could be a very long set that could last one hour and a half. You know, sometimes with all the liquid that we consume you might want to go more often, obviously.

Q. Just to clarify, when you said "referee," you're meaning the chair umpire?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Chair umpire.

Q. The chair umpire. Look, the other part that I wanted to ask you is obviously you're very upset and disappointed right now, because it was so close, but is this a result that maybe sticks with you for a little while longer, or will you get over it relatively soon?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: No, I have already forgotten about it.