BBC 5Live is known for tackling difficult subjects, and presenter Naga Munchetty gave a guest a grilling over tennis star Andy Murray’s complaints that an opponent was having an unfair advantage with overly long toilet breaks.
A sports psychologist joined Naga on the radio to share her thoughts, but complained Naga “put her on the spot” with her incessant questioning about “cheating”.
The guest was Amanda Rowan, a renowned sports psychologist and former world ranked GB tennis player.
She started off by saying: “I’ve been listening, and I agree with a lot of those points.
Naga replied: “Please, take it away.”
(Image: BBC)
Amanda then explained: “Well I was actually watching in the early hours, and I completely agree that we’re taking away from the point that Andy played some fantastic tennis, unbelievable tennis.”
“But the fact that Tsitsipas took eight minutes for his toilet break – and I am fully aware of the rules as well, but as a player, that is deeply unsettling,” she added.
(Image: PA)
“And yes, there are techniques which one can use, but the fact is I think Andy is right to say it is brinking on gamesmanship – it is, because-“
Naga interrupted to say: “He said it’s cheating. He said it was cheating. Do you agree with that?”
There was a long pause from Amanda before she asked: “Well I think – sorry, could you repeat the question?”
Naga then repeated the question: “He said it’s cheating. He was heard saying ‘It’s cheating, it’s cheating’, to his box. Do you agree with that?”
Amanda responded: “Oh, you’re putting me on the spot here.”
She added: “Well, Tsitsipas is notorious for taking long toilet breaks.
“And I think, psychologically of course it’s unsettling, of course it creates frustration and annoyance in players.
“I mean it changes momentum and you know, he was playing fantastic tennis, Murray, and Tsitsipas, I think, read the game there.
(Image: BBC)
“He knew. And cheating – I agree with Andy, I think it’s poor gamesmanship, I think one is allowed two toilet breaks in a five-set match, eight minutes is almost ten minutes really.”
She continued: “Obviously it’s really difficult to put a time limit because of the tournaments and the distance to where the loos are situated, however – eight minutes.
“And I think he does exploit it, I think it’s more of a psychological change of momentum, and it is poor gamesmanship.
Naga Munchetty hosts 5Live from 10am to 1pm.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
