ATP Tour - Murray peeved at doping controls

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Feb 09:30:00 2009

World number four Any Murray continued to criticise the ATP drug testing system after he underwent his third test in just over two weeks.

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The Scot - who had to wait for 90 minutes to produce the specimen - said there was one system for the top players and another for the journeymen and said that had to change.

"This is the third time I've been tested over the past 16 or 17 days. And we still have to do that (declare our whereabouts)," moaned Murray.

The Scot continued his criticism of a draconian new ruling which since January 1 has irritated top 50 players who are now required to report their whereabouts for at least one hour per day - every day of the year to international anti-corruption authorities via online, phone or even SMS.

"I don't understand why we have to do it during tournament weeks when we're being tested anyway. So many things could be done better. We're humans," added the Scot.

On opening day at the indoor event, Murray was corralled along with fellow doubles loser and new Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal for testing along with at least three others.

But despite eight testers on site at the Ahoy arena, only the one available doctor could do the actual test.

That meant waiting in turn under trying conditions.

"I feel quite strongly that there are a lot of flaws in the system, it can get much much better," said Murray.

"You've just finished a match and are desperate to go to the toilet.

"But I had to wait, you can't go before the test. We have 10-and-a-half months of tennis and we're getting tested at least 25 times.

"Why is is that only the top 50 have to do this whereabouts thing. What about number 51. If this is going to be done it should be done from the Futures level right through to the top.

"There is not much testing at the lower levels. Thirty times a year is enough to know if someone is trying to cheat."

Murray also said that he kept a light practice schedule last week in snowy London after picking up the symptoms of a virus.

"I didn't want to let it linger on, if it's not taken care of properly it can get worse. I wanted to be sure I was in shape to play here," he said of the event where he lost in the first round in 2008.

"I didn't have much time off after Melbourne, but I didn't lose much rhythm. I'm hitting the ball well."

AFP

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  1. Webbski some people have a thing called A LIFE.

    They­ may have family friends job etc.

    It is ok for you to­ say where you will be for 1 hour a day. Sat on your a$$­ in front of the compter.

    Sometimes it is better to be­ thought a fool than to open ones mouth and prove you­ really are one.

    From Michael, on Fri 13 Feb 1:31PM

  2. webbski, yes thats a very sound comment that you made­ about this issue...

    From neil9365, on Fri 13 Feb 10:34AM

  3. Stop whining Andy. If you're not using anything­ illegal then you've nothing to worry about.

    From Holty, on Thu 12 Feb 3:42PM

  4. I hope you have all seen that Murray is not the only­ one speaking out against the strict testing:­ there's an article on here about Nadal and Simon­ being against it, too. Would post a link, but urls­ aren't allowed.

    From CATHERINE, on Thu 12 Feb 1:08PM

  5. ayne-marie, and all the others. an apology now that­ nadal, simon and others have also come out against the­ excessive doping tests. i doubt it. have the balls to­ admit to being wrong.

    From triggerdj, on Thu 12 Feb 8:12AM

  6. Anti Murray M@ther F@ckers.........

    From Nicholas, on Wed 11 Feb 10:53PM

  7. Andy, you go ahead and speak your mind. I respect what­ you have done for UK (yes, i know your a scot) mens­ tennis i think its good that players can talk about­ these things because as spectators we never know. The­ amount of times players are tested is a little too­ much, and that rule saying its only for the top 50­ players? Is it only me or is there not a bit of­ hypocricy going on... why not test the mens game across­ the board and keep it fair?

    From james, on Wed 11 Feb 4:36PM

  8. Does anybody know if this draconian drug ruling ­ applies to American tennis players as well.

    From mirjanav2000, on Wed 11 Feb 9:36AM

  9. etherglide where you thinking of offering webbcki a job­ ?

    From Nicholas, on Wed 11 Feb 9:19AM

  10. Well done webbski, you didnt dissappoint. No worthwhile­ contribution to make so you make some inane remarks. It­ just makes you look very childish. Oh, and­ unemployable.

    From Peter, on Wed 11 Feb 9:01AM

  11. Lots of comments here from the anti Murray m@ther­ f@ckers brigade.........

    From Nicholas, on Wed 11 Feb 12:29AM

  12. why dont you a r s e h o l e s get off murrays back,hes­ the best player for decades and you can anly snipe away­ in the background,your comments say more about you than­ him......rant over

    From offmymash, on Tue 10 Feb 10:27PM

  13. Ja, thanks for that Mauwi. I mean Habeeb. I take my hat­ of to Murray. He has the balls to speak his mind. In­ public. Shame Webski. You should try to get out of bed­ before noon and get your hands dirty. No wonder the­ companies are employing the "Swiss Rolls" and­ the "Lithuos" ahead of you boys. I can just­ see you moan when your mum tells you to tidy your room.

    From mielies1, on Tue 10 Feb 8:16PM

  14. Love Nadal! He's so cute and has the best body in­ sport along with Monfils. Those who hate Rafa, he­ couldn't give a flying eff! He doesn't know u­ and he is rich everyday, good sol and spirit....with­ life being so short, your loss! Rafa is living his life­ and doing so well! So is Murray as a matter of fact and­ that's why u read about him. Best number ones ever:­ Rena and Rafa! keep shining!

    From Vic M, on Tue 10 Feb 7:28PM

  15. Why do all you Murray-haters read about him so much??!­ I can't stand nadal, so I don't read about him,­ and so don't post derogatory remarks about him.
    As­ for jack's post about Murray blaming testing on him­ not winning a Slam is absurd. Jack evidently did not­ read Murray's comments following his loss in­ Australia.
    Best of luck for Rotterdam, Murray! :)

    From CATHERINE, on Tue 10 Feb 6:25PM

  16. moan moan moan

    From S S, on Tue 10 Feb 5:10PM

  17. all these people on here complaining that all andy­ murray does is moan,yet here you all are on this site­ moaning, why dont you get of the guys back and get­ yourselfs a life.

    From debbie.jones06, on Tue 10 Feb 2:22PM

  18. I AGREE WITH MURRAY 3 TIMES IN 14 DAYS DOES SEEM A­ LITTLE EXCESSIVE, SURELY IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO­ TEST A PLAYER BEFORE AND AFTER A TOURNAMENT, AS I AM­ SURE THEY ARE CHAPERONED BEFORE AND DURING A MATCH AND­ EACH PLAYER IS STRICTLY MONITORED WITH ANY MEDICATION­ HE OR SHE NEEDS TO TAKE.

    STEVE CURTIS
    GODALMING,­ SURREY

    From steven c, on Tue 10 Feb 1:28PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    perhaps he's whinging cause he has something to­ hide - you never know!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Annamarie G, on Tue 10 Feb 1:08PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Come on Murray,give us a­ break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Jeremy, on Tue 10 Feb 12:57PM
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