Mystery virus forces Murray out of Dubai

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:29

World No.4 Andy Murray became the latest player to withdraw from the Barclays Dubai Championships when he was struck down with a mystery virus.

The second-seeded Scot had been due to play Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the quarter-finals on Thursday night but pulled out of the match saying he has been feeling progressively unwell since arriving in the UAE.

‘I have felt cold and shivery and had a sore throat’ – Murray

The event has been hit hard by withdrawals. Before the $2.2 million tournament began top ten stars Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco all withdrew.

“I woke up in the middle of the night sweating,” Murray said. “I went to the doctor and started taking antibiotics yesterday, but I have felt very tired all week.

“I have felt cold and shivery and had a sore throat, I feel that my temperature is up, and my body feels bad.”

Murray admitted he has been struggling with his health since beating Spains Marcel Granollers in the second round of the Aussie Open last month.

“I don’t know what it is, some virus perhaps, but after that match I didn’t feel great and I’ve not felt 100% since.

“There were a couple of days in Rotterdam [two weeks ago] when I felt better, but I haven’t felt well again since I have been here.

The illness makes Murray a doubt to represent his country in GBs Davis Cup tie against Ukraine in Glasgow next weekend.

“I will have to rest and see,” he said. “If I feel bad I won’t play, and if I feel fine I will play.”

He added: “Doctor says I need a week, 10 days, to start feeling better again and I’ll just see. You never know with these things. Sometimes you can recover more quickly than other times.”

Gasquet goes on to face fourth seed David Ferrer in the semi-finals.

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