Stefanos Tsitsipas given violation for ‘not looking at shot clock’ at Australian Open – ‘It’s cost him again!’

Stefanos Tsitsipas was handed a time violation on his serve at a very tense moment in his Australian Open semi-final against Karen Khachanov on Friday.

Serving at 5-5 with the opening set very much in the balance and down 0-15 to Khachanov, Tsitsipas took much too long over his first serve and the umpire had to intervene.

It was announced from the chair: “Time violation, loss of service, Mr Tsitsipas.”

This meant that the 24-year-old lost his first serve and had to go straight to his second. To compound matters, with the fans being pretty noisy, he then served long on his second serve for a double fault.

Eurosport commentator Chris Bradnam provided the context that this was not the first time it has become an issue for the Greek star.

“So it’s going to be a second serve now; he is not looking at the shot clock! He is in his own little world.

“It has happened to him a number of times in his career; he is not aware of the shot clock, and it has cost him again! Another double-fault.

“I think there is an argument to have a five-second beeper, but I mean, even Nadal has had to add it to all of his habits, a glance at the shot clock.”

Switching the conversation to point out that both players have done it in the past, Miles Maclagan added: “Well, Khachanov gets started about 15 seconds after the point ends.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the second one enforced. I have seen plenty where the serve is taken away. Tsitsipas is thinking if this umpire is willing to do it at five-all, I better watch out!”

As Tsitsipas served quickly in the next point, Bradnam continued: “Yeah, good point. He never complains because he knows he does it! Well, it has sped him up. it might help him!”

Tsitsipas proceeded to serve quickly and effectively, leading to Bradnam adding: “Well, what a recovery this is. Thanks, ump!”

Fortunately for the Greek, he went on to serve well for the remainder of the set as he took the opener, winning the tie-break 7-2 and then going on to win the match in four sets to reach the final.

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