NEW YORK: Alexander Zverev led the chorus in calling out Stefanos Tsitsipas' stalling diplomacies, saying players were catching on to his extended bathroom breaks.
"It's happening every match, it's not normal," the German said. "He's the No. 3 player in the world, he's one of the best in the world. I do not believe he needs to do that. This happens at junior events, Futures and Challengers maybe, but not when you're top three in the world."
The 24-year-old, no stranger to controversy himself, having been accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend, said there was an unwritten code among players that stops short of the premise of match play.
"I have broken racquets, I go insane sometimes," Zverev said, "but one thing I'm very proud of, and I will keep it for the rest of my career, is that I win and lose by playing tennis on the tennis court."
Earlier this month in Cincinnati Zverev thrashed Tsitsipas' delaying tactics.
"He's gone for 10-plus minutes, his dad is texting on the phone. He comes out and all of a sudden his tactic completely changed," said Zverev, of their semifinal clash. "I'm like either it's a very magical place he goes to or there is communication there. I believe, and Andy said it as well, there is some level of respect that everybody needs to have between players."
The Golden Game
Belinda Bencic placed her Olympic triumph above the Slams or any title she may or may not win in her career. "For me the Olympics is the biggest thing," she said. "I want to achieve more, I have more dreams. But I think for me the Olympics is the biggest."
The Swiss who won gold and silver medals in Tokyo, in the singles and doubles, said the Olympic experience had put her on Cloud Nine.
"These memories I will have forever," she said. "My first Olympics, and how everything went with winning the gold, it's probably going to be the biggest achievement I will ever have."
