Lengthy toilet breaks set to be flushed out of tennis by the ATP next season

Lengthy toilet breaks look set to be flushed out of tennis after the ATP stepped in to address the issue for next season.

The controversial use of tactical timeouts off court has led to angry rebukes from opposition players.

Andy Murray questioned Stefanos Tsitsipas doing just that on a number of occasions during his marathon US Open defeat against the Greek player earlier this year.

Now, players on the men’s tour will be allowed just one toilet break per match lasting no longer than three minutes from the moment the player in question enters the toilet.

Against Murray, Tsitsipas had a toilet break after the end of the second set, a medical timeout after the next set and an eight-minute break off court following the fourth set.

Afterwards, the Briton called for a change in the rules, joking it had taken Amazon founder Jeff Bezos longer to get into space than for Tsitsipas to go to the toilet.

In addition to the three-minute toilet time, players will also be allowed a further two minutes to change their clothing off court.

That time off court will only be allowed after the end of the set, with potential time violations if players go over the limit.

Read More

Murray becomes latest tennis star to voice concern over Peng Shuai

Britain’s Norrie drafted in to play in ATP Finals at 11th hour

IOC accused of showing complete disregard to Peng sexual assault claim