Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, No 8 in the world, lost to Andrey Rublev in the first round of the US Open in New York.
The Russian prevailed 3-1 sets [ 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5] in almost four hours.
The Greek champion was deeply disappointed as this was his first round exit for the second straight Grand Slam tournament.
During the game, Tsitsipas clashed with chair umpire Damien Dumusois. Tsitsipas was hit with a code violation for receiving coaching; among those in Tsitsipas' box was his dad and coach, Apostolos.
In the fourth set, when he was battling cramps, Tsitsipas at one point was given a time violation for not returning to the court quickly enough during a changeover.
It was then he was heard saying to the chair umpire from France, "You have something against me, I don't know what -- because you're French, probably. And you're all weirdos."
Tsitsipas was asked about his weirdos comment in his post-match press conference.
"The chair umpire was very incorrect in what he was telling me during the match," Tsitsipas said.
"I don't know what this chair umpire has in specific against my team but he's been complaining and telling me that my team talks all of the time when I'm out on the court playing. He's very -- I don't know. I believe he's not right, because I never hear anything of what my team says from the outside. And there is nothing that I personally believe can help my game or make me play better.
"My father outside, who usually does the talking, he's trying to pump me up by saying, you know, 'Come on.' Raising my confidence by not coaching but by trying to boost me up. I believe the coach for my opponent does the same thing, which is normal.
"This chair umpire, I don't know, he has something against me. I don't know why.", said the Greek star.
M. Sakkari plays tomorrow
Meanwhile, in the Women’s singles, Maria Sakkari, plays tomorrow morning (AEST, 4.30 am.) with China’s Peng Shuai for a place in the third round of the US Open.
