Andy Murray brands rules ‘disrespectful’ and ‘ridiculous’ as Thanasi Kokkinakis clash goes late at Australian Open

Andy Murray slammed the regulations that forced him and Thanasi Kokkinakis to play through the early hours of the morning in their thrilling second-round match, without what he perceived to be adequate toilet access.

The Australian Open sees two night matches held back-to-back on the show courts, beginning at 19:00 local time.

Murray and Kokkinakis began their second round clash at 22:20 local time and ahead of the fifth set at 03:00, the three-time Grand Slam champion made his feelings clear to the umpire as he questioned why he couldn’t go to the toilet.

“I mean, do you know something, I respect the rules,” said Murray.

“[But], it’s so disrespectful that the tournament has us out here until f***ing three or four o’clock in the morning and you are not allowed to go and take a p***. It’s a joke, it’s a joke. You know it as well.

“It’s disrespectful to you, disrespectful to the ball children, disrespectful to the players and we are not allowed to go to the toilet. Ridiculous!”

Tennis regulations state each player can only go for one toilet break in a match, which Murray and Kokkinakis had already taken.

“I absolutely get where he’s coming from,” said Eurosport commentator Jo Durie. “The whole thing is ridiculous right now.

“How on earth can the winner of this match do themselves justice in the next match?”

Prior to the match, Andy Murray’s brother Jamie gave his opinion that there should only be one night match, which came two days after his criticism about not knowing the match schedule until late at night.

“Time for tennis to move to only one 1 match at the night sessions at grand slams,” he tweeted.

“This is the best outcome for ALL singles players. We can’t continue to have players compete into the wee hours of the morning. Rubbish for everyone involved – players/fans/event staff.”

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