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Three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka has crashed out of the French Open in the first round after a four-set loss to French wildcard Corentin Moutet.
The 37-year-old former world No. 3 was far from his best as Moutet claimed a famous 2-6 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory to set up a match against 13-time champion Rafael Nadal.
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The 2015 French Open champion Wawrinka, who is on the mend from a foot injury which cost him most of last season, was playing in just his fifth top level match of the year.
Although it was an impressive victory for Moutet, it was Wawrinka who caught people’s attention for a seemingly petty quibble.
A frustrated Wawrinka erupted over the temperature of his water while down 5-2 in the third set.
“It is not normal at a grand slam,” Wawrinka raged at the umpire.
“Is that normal? Do you think it is normal? So you call someone. It has been three changeovers, I asked you for some water that is not freaking freezing.
“Because it is not good. You are at the French Open and you cannot get normal water. You think it is normal?”
Eurosport commentator Simon Reed laughed the complaint off, believing Wawrinka was barking up the wrong tree.
“No, it is not his problem – that is the thing, Stan,” Reed said.
“Sorry about the language, but maybe he is looking for a fight.”
The blow up saw some raised eyebrows from the public however.
The Tennis Podcast tweeted: “Stan Wawrinka is complaining that the water is too cold, which is a new one on me.”
Later, as Wawrinka levelled at 5-all, it added: “Wawrinka has levelled the third set 5-5 after Moutet served for it. He must have ice water in his veins.”
Tennis author Mark “Scoop” Malinowski added: “Whining about water temperature is absurd especially by a great champion like Wawrinka. He’s gotta be tougher or just bring his own drink.”
However, there were also those on Wawrinka’s side, including the likes of Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic’s book Serve to Win revealed he only drinks warm water.
“The first thing I do out of bed is to drink a tall glass of room-temperature water, Djokovic wrote. “I’ve just gone eight hours without drinking anything, and my body needs hydration to start functioning at its peak. Water is a critical part of the body’s repair process. But I avoid ice water, for a reason.
“When you drink ice water, the body needs to send additional blood to the digestive system in order to heat the water to 98.6 degrees.
“There’s some benefit to this process – heating the cold water burns a few additional calories. But it also slows digestion and diverts blood away from where I want it – in my muscles.”
Wawrinka was frustrated during and after the result, telling media that his performance was indicative of the level he’s currently playing at.
“I started well and it was a good first set but unfortunately it was disappointing to lose,” Wawrinka said.
“Unfortunately this is the reality of how I play at the moment. I need training, a lot of work. I am playing well but not at the level for matches like that. This is the reality unfortunately of where I am.”
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