Andy Murray expressed his frustration after being denied a bathroom break during his grueling five-set match against Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open. Murray, who had fought back from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set, requested a bathroom break before the final frame.
However, the chair umpire informed him that he could not leave as he had already used his allotted bathroom breaks for the match. The 35-year-old, visibly upset, criticized the decision, saying, “It’s a joke, and you know it too.
It’s so disrespectful to keep us out here until three or four in the morning and not allow us a bathroom break. It’s disrespectful to everyone involved, including the players and ball kids.”
Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, supported Murray’s complaints, commenting on Twitter, “Correct. This is just so dumb.” The issue of toilet breaks has been a point of contention in the tournament, with Novak Djokovic also recently facing scrutiny for his bathroom break during his first-round match.
Djokovic, who asked to use the bathroom early in his match against Roberto Carballés Baena, experienced a brief delay as the umpire seemed not to hear his initial request.
The Serbian player, after repeatedly trying to get the umpire’s attention, eventually ran off the court with the umpire calling after him. Djokovic returned before the 30-second timer expired and won the next game. He later clarified on Instagram that he had not defied the umpire’s orders but had been given permission and was instructed to be quick.
Despite the controversy, Murray’s determination was undeterred by the bathroom break issue. He secured a historic victory in the five-hour and 45-minute match, the longest of his career, which concluded just after 4 a.m. in Melbourne.
Murray’s resilience and relentless spirit were on full display, reaffirming his reputation for grit and perseverance. Murray is set to face No. 24 seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.