i'm not surprised by the medical clearance. i'm not disputing that andy was suffering from something, but i felt it was more a need for rest than an actual illness. after all, he spent Christmas break on a tough physical training schedule, from there to another tennis season. i'm not sure he had a break at all. so, after nadal and federer withdrew, i thought he would be next!

How convenient...straight AFTER Davis Cup.

noleisthebest, i echo your thinking! there's a pattern developing with andy! i saw it coming! observe!

Murray was diagnosed with fever from LTA officials. So what you two saying are nonsense

orion, we (noleisthebest & i ) happen to share the same perspective on a particular topic, that's all! nothing to be alarmed over. i'm sure that by the time this discussion is complete there will be a hundred different views, as always!

Unless you have access to Andy's medical records such comments are mere supposition.

This is a blog which invites comments. Yours are welcome too.

unwelcome guest has arrived !!!!!!!! Murray was really injured !!!!!! He is not a fake like like like u know !!!!!!!!!!!!

"Murray was really injured !!!!!! "
I didn't know common cold is classified as inury...bu then again whit the Murray's sort of injuries (sore thumb etc) maybe cold is an injury as well...

Wit Murray it's plain he doesn't care baout DC, he proved it time after time. He likes LTA cash, so does an absolute minimum to pay lip service to his DC commitments.
I'd have full respect for him if he came out clean and said he does not want to play for Britain as he feels Scottish ONLY.

Well since the Brits gave him so much shit about his DC commitments before, they should stop pestering him. Whether or not he's injured it's his business if he prefers to focus on his career. Sampras did it, Federer does it, if LTA wants to throw money at him that's their problem. At least he doesn't quit a match on sore thumb or throat for that matter.

Common cold cannot be taken lightly as they also can be fatal at times if proper precautions not taken !!!!!!!!!!! health is wealth (Old one but Old is Gold) !!!!!!!!!

i take may hat off to all the tennis players that honored their country and played tennis this weekend, i felt so proud of all of them.every one that did not play had their own reasons and they are the only ones that truly know deep down inside of them how they really felt...but i had not doudt that after DC was over everyone that did not honor their country was going to be at IW next weekend...to be honest it is really kind of sad in a way.....if they could not play at least they could have just sit on the side lines for support or something....i don't know.......all i can say is congrats to all that played!!!!

Its funny when a djokovic fan accuses someone of not playing with a sore thumb. I guess it wasnt djokovic that retired with a sore throat from one of the most highly anticipated matches last year? And if youre saying he wasnt really ill, you also say that in order to accomplish that he withdrew from dubai, with the knowledge of he will have fever somehow when he gets examined from LTA officials, and convinced professionals doctors that he might have grandular fever. Thats quite a scamp he pulled just not to play DC.

Murray did sit on the sidelines to support btw, I think federer didnt though.

"Its funny when a djokovic fan accuses someone of not playing with a sore thumb. I guess it wasnt djokovic that retired with a sore throat from one of the most highly anticipated matches last year?"

orion that's the official version, unofficial reason is that Fed insulted his parents during the game and that's why he retired.

No ones to say what a player really can be feeling. And Murray wouldn't throw away Dubai, I don't think in any way he was avoiding a meeting with Djokovic.

Surely a comment must be based on a smidgen of fact? Thus if I say "Murray has the best backhand in the game," you may disagree but concede his backhand is effective. However a supposition as in "Murray faked being ill in order to avoid playing in the Davis Cup" is based on gossip and innuendo.

And here it starts, woe be tide anyone who becomes ill. I think its sad that people can only pull Andy apart coz he is ill.......shame on you.

If there is one thing Andy Murray is, it's honest. He's so frank, brash and in-your-face, that I don't think he'd ever bother with wasting energy on lying. Faking being ill? Nah, that's Djokovic's thing. He wouldn't want to cramp his style.
I'd take Andy's word any day.

That being said, it is worrisome that he's actually cleared to play. I mean, it sounded like he was really ill and I don't feel like he's had enough time to actually recover and get better. For it to be suspected that he had Glandular Fever must mean his health was in a bad state (it's not everyday you're suspected of having that serious of an illness). He might be feeling better, but further physical exertions could result in a relapse. As for those "doctors", I'm afraid they don't always have the player's well-being at heart.

One last thought, Andy doesn't owe the Brits anything. It's about time the other "players" on the team stepped up and took responsibility. Andy works hard for his success and his progress, they should take a page out of his book.

Ridiculous to accuse people of faking illnesses, whether its murray or djokovic. Plain ridiculous

*shrugs* He makes it very easy...

By the way, Orion, you said earlier that Andy was on the sidelines supporting his team. Was he really? I didn't know that. I recall watching one of the matches between Team Britain and Team Ukraine when the commentator said he wished Andy Murray were there.

I havent watched the tie so I dont know. His official website says he was going to be on the sidelines. Wasnt he there?

*shakes head* No, I'm pretty sure he wasn't there. I didn't notice him on the sidelines whenever the camera switched to the British team. Plus, can you imagine the accusatory glares he'd have to endure if he DID opt to sit on the bench? Yikes! *shudders*

Sorry for the wrong info then. Its a shame he wasnt there, the tie was in glasgow after all

*grins* No problem.

I don't think it's a shame though. Sitting on the bench watching your teammates get hammered, while having to endure probable vibes of hostility from the crowd (and coach), knowing that you have an important tournament to play later in the week, while people question your truthfulness, loyalty, and dedication, hardly counts as "rest", now does it?

Thought I should share: I just read on his site that he said he's not 100% well. That's not surprising, these players are indeed human beings for crying out loud! You can't expect them to be sick one day and all better the next!
I want them all to have a month long slumber party, with no tennis playing allowed!

welcome to the real world. occasionally, some players do fake illness for various reasons! whether we like it or not, it happens! it may be that they just exaggerate the illness to make it seem worst than what it really is! that way, they won't be frowned upon for not playing a particular tournament. don't be naive!

Okay... He was examined by LTA doctors on a daily basis and it was THE DOCTORS who diagnosed murray shouldnt play DC. If youre saying Murray is a guy who has the ability to deceive medical professionals and plan to withdraw from a tournament just to get out of playing 2 matches, I dont have any more logical comments to make.

I get your point Memi, but that theory just doesn't fit well with this particular situation with Andy. Do you really think that he traveled all the way to Dubai, played on a a suspect ankle, made it all the way to the quarters, just to drop out "faking" an illness? Again, it doesn't strike me as Andy Murray's style. I don't see him doing that. What I'm suspicious of is the doctors. Of course a player wants to run to a big tournament and compete, the doctor's job is to deliver the hard and unwanted news that they are "not well enough" and that it's "not recommended they play". Sometimes those doctors will say what they know wants to be heard even though it's not necessarily in the best interest of the athlete in question.

There are holes in your theory. Why not save all the trouble and claim he wasn't feeling well after Rotterdam? After all, he did drop hints about his "dodgy" and "cracking" ankle during that tournament? And after Roger and Rafa pulled out, he could of easily joined the injured list. Believe me, I don't think it's impossible to fake or exaggerate illnesses. It's only the beginning of the season and we've already witnessed a blatant case of it.

But mini, he was diagnosed by LTA doctors; not regular ones. So it isnt a case of Murray's interests here. And if youre referring to djokovic when you say he faked at OZ, what do you base it on?

Happy to see Andy Murray back to business. He was missed! His county also missed him, but the way someone here said" "health is wealth". In any event, I sure in addition to being sick with a cold, he had the opportunity to get mentally ready for the rest of the season. I do see him as a contender for IW and Miami along with all the big guns and some other, Tsonga, Verdasco, Davy and Nabi.

"And if youre referring to djokovic when you say he faked at OZ, what do you base it on?"

hatred, ignorance ...

You have to admit the guy has had issues with this in the past.

orion, i have'nt commented on djokovic, maybe you thinking of someone else. since you mentioned it, i for one felt that the australian heat did affect djokovic. to me it was clear that his chances of defeating roddick was great; so what reason would he have for faking? my comments regarding andy are based on a number of things. i did predict that he would withdraw from dubai before it actually happened. in fact, i said it right here on this board! at the time, andy was playing great! i have my reasons why i think he withdrew, but that's another subject! again, i base my opinions on more than what i read in an article. for the most part, we have a tendency to believe whatever we read; we have no proof, just what we are told! most people don't look beyond the article. anyway, i'm spectulating like everyone else. my thoughts are not going to affect anything one way or the other. like MiniArbre said, it's just a theory!

"that's the official version, unofficial reason is that Fed insulted his parents during the game and that's why he retired."

WHATever....

really weird for people with no pride ain't it?

As far as Murray not being a supporter at the Davis Cup in Glasgow, his ma was interviewed, on the Friday I think, and said he was still confined to quarters and was not allowed out even to exercise his dog! He got a load of stick from Andrew Castle(Ex player, commentator) as well. I don't feel that would have gone down with Murray. I agree with MiniArbre , if he does play at IW that's far too soon. They have a very heavy schedule, too much unhealthy air travel and go from extremes of heat. No wonder they get sick!

"One last thought, Andy doesn't owe the Brits anything. "
how wrong you are...have you any idea how so much hadred he would have had it had he come from Serbia...

"hatred, ignorance ..."
Posmatrac, I hardly have to get that creative.

Noleisthe, I completely agree. But it's a very different type of situation than Murray's. Serbians are very nationalistic. Djokovic would have to endure a lot of hatred from his Serbian nation if he didn't represent (for whatever reason). History discussion aside, they invested a lot in Djokovic, and the Serbians (and Djokovic himself) feel that it's his job to "put Serbia on the map", so to speak. Even his singles matches are the Davis Cup for him.

Ridiculous talk about Murray pulling out of the DC unnecessarily. He had an excellent chance of picking up at least another 300 points by reaching the final at Dubai and was many people's favourite to lift all 500. Why would he sacrifice all these points in such a prestigious tournament if his motive was self rather than country (and don't forget he was easily the most passionate player in Britain's DC team last time around)? Illogical.

I also agree with those who feel IW may be a bit soon for him after what he says about this being the worst illness of his career. Unless I'm mistaken he has very few points to defend at IW and would have nothing to lose by pulling out and saving himself for Miami.

I think if he has less points to defend in IW, then perhaps he can gain a lot just by playing there, right? I don't know why he still isn't no.3 in the world yet.

"Serbians are very nationalistic ...", "History discussion aside, they invested a lot in Djokovic .."

Serbians as the nation are healthy nationalistic, not very. Novak appreciates Serbian fans abroad as they are his biggest support on tournaments.

Serbia unfortunately didn't invest anything in Novak's development, his parents sacrificed everything to get him a chance. In his home country he has a lot of true fans that support him equally no matter whether he wins or he loses and the speculation about hatred if he doesn't perform has no base at all.

I have to notice that you are being a little bit creative.

that is shocking news,i think Murray is great talent and i hope he will be well soon he has a beautiful game that sure needs some work on but gives some hope that tennis will not be based on defensive boring appraoch that Nadal uses if he gets sick the same way Federer was last year that will be bad.
by the way: no need to take something from the man just because you are Djokovic's fan!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(typical)

I agree, since Fed is on a slight decline, the notion that 'you should do anything to win' is being promoted by Nadal's fans. Seriously, this people do not give a damn about beautiful tennis. All they care is win,win,win. I hope Murray will keep beating Nadal until nadal will have a mental block against Murray. Amen.

torres is on a roll... :)

congrats you found someone else to worship. don't spread yourself thin though, federer needs all the support he can get!

Federer does not need support his beautiful game automatically creates support for him!!!!!!!!!! lol

to remi
Nadal needs all the STEROIDES ha can get
Novak needs everybody to pull out just to finish a whole match NOT TO RETIRE
so don't mention FEDERER
get a life

torres9 i am a nadal fan and i think that nadal plays beautiful tennis.he plays shots that are unbelievable! and he has defied he odds that were against him.
some of the angles that he get the ball into the court are mind boggling.
everyone has their own style and each player does what they have to do to win.
in the end all of the players just want to win.

as for murray beating nadal until he has a mental block NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!
nadal is sooo mentally strong until he will not let that happen.he will only work harder to find a way to overcome it.
the last 3 times that murray has beat nadal is....1.new york:rafa was tired from a long season 2:an exhibition:rafa had not played in 2 months 3:in rotterdam rafa was hurt. ......so murray lately has not faced a healthy nadal.
anyway this discussion was about murrays illness but every time a discussion is about murray or novak or federer or nadal each one's name always gets pulled into the conversation.