(Reuters)Australian Open favorite Daniil Medvedev called the tennis tour’s toilet break rule “stupid” after rowing with the chair umpire about the refresher during his sweaty fourth-round win over Maxime Cressy on Monday.
Russia’s Medvedev barked at French chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein over the recently updated rule that limits players to a maximum of three minutes off the pitch, with an extra two if they choose to change clothes.
After a tough 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 7-5 win over American Cressy on a muggy day at Margaret Court Arena, the second seed said the players were on days with more scope needing to refresh extreme heat.
“The thing is I know that in the 35 degree heat when you play in the sun I want to change after two sets because you get wet,” he told reporters.
“I’m going to want to change my shorts, under my shorts, my socks, my shoes. It takes you about four minutes and my body wanted to pee after the first set.
“So I don’t see any logic in those rules, so I can call that stupid.”
After dropping the third set against serve-volleyer Cressy, Medvedev got cranky in the fourth set when he failed to bring the American’s serve past eight break points.
But he said he was already in the mood to be seated on Margaret Court Arena’s second show court for a second straight game, rather than Rod Laver Arena’s center court.
“I was pretty pissed about a few things today,” said the US Open champion, the highest seeded at Melbourne Park after world number one Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia.
“First of all, I really don’t know what to do to play center courts in Grand Slams.
“Because I won the last Grand Slam. I mean I’m the highest seed here and playing Maxime would be easier for Rod Laver (Arena), more space.
“When you play on a smaller court, it’s harder to play against someone who serves and volleys than on a larger court.”
Medvedev, who finished second behind Djokovic last year, is playing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the semifinals.
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