Murray withdrawal infuriates organisers
By Alistair Hendrie on February 15, 2010, 10:39 AM
Tournament chief Caujolle was quoted in the Daily Express as saying:
Murray did the same thing last year. He can’t know what it is to keep his word.
A week ago, he asked me for a doubles wildcard with his brother Jamie and I gave him one. A few days ago, he asked for five hotel rooms and I gave him them.
The number one seed of a tournament should have a sense of responsibility. If he does not respect his commitments, he should be suspended by the ATP.
UPDATE: Caujolle denies calling for Murray's suspension:
I never said that he should be suspended, but it's true I was really disappointed because he was my top player.
There is a responsibility for the credibility of all the game when it's a top player. Sometimes you have to force yourself and be responsible.
I understand he's quite young and it's not a huge tournament but it's quite disappointing and we had the same last year.
Last year he played in Rotterdam and was a bit injured and I understand that. He sent me an email saying next year I will play.
I understand everything but the fact is it's going to affect the tournament.
One week before, to phone and say I am not coming would have been good. In that case I could have found another player, not as good as Andy, but made an offer to Marin Cilic or someone, but it was too late.
A few minutes later Juan Martin Del Potro pulled out with a real injury so I lost my top two players.
I think the top seed and marquee player...they have to not pull out because all the promotion is framed around them.
There should be something but the ATP is working on that, it's not the fault of the ATP or even Andy. It's just life.
The Scot pulled out of the tournament citing fatigue, two weeks after losing to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final. Murray is scheduled to make a return next week in Dubai.
In other news: Murray has met with ex-girlfriend Kim Sears at Wimbledon, reportedly spending nearly an hour talking with each other and ending the day with a "snog". Discuss the news here.
Yeah, it's not good to do it 2 years in a row...
February 15, 2010, 10:49 AM
By eira_arian
By eira_arian
He needs to be careful - of course we're only hearing one side of the story from this tournament-directing nutter, but it doesn't sound good.
Has he gone to France anyway? I thought players still had to honour their media commitments at the tournament even if they pulled out beforehand - or is that just the WTA?
Even so, if he doesn't feel that he's ready to return then it's his call, no matter how late he makes it. He shouldn't be press-ganged into playing against his will by some angry Gallic man with a clear grudge. Forget Marseille in future, Andy. Whether you should have handled the withdrawal better or not, Monsieur Cajole (see what I did there? - quite apt, I think) is not worth doing a favour for.
Has he gone to France anyway? I thought players still had to honour their media commitments at the tournament even if they pulled out beforehand - or is that just the WTA?
Even so, if he doesn't feel that he's ready to return then it's his call, no matter how late he makes it. He shouldn't be press-ganged into playing against his will by some angry Gallic man with a clear grudge. Forget Marseille in future, Andy. Whether you should have handled the withdrawal better or not, Monsieur Cajole (see what I did there? - quite apt, I think) is not worth doing a favour for.
February 15, 2010, 10:51 AM
By Joe
By Joe
The bloke is on SSN now!
February 15, 2010, 10:52 AM
By allyh84
By allyh84
He needs to be careful - of course we're only hearing one side of the story from this tournament-directing nutter, but it doesn't sound good.
Has he gone to France anyway? I thought players still had to honour their media commitments at the tournament even if they pulled out beforehand - or is that just the WTA?
Even so, if he doesn't feel that he's ready to return then it's his call, no matter how late he makes it. He shouldn't be press-ganged into playing against his will by some angry Gallic man with a clear grudge. Forget Marseille in future, Andy. Whether you should have handled the withdrawal better or not, Monsieur Cajole (see what I did there? - quite apt, I think) is not worth doing a favour for.
I think you're being a little harsh on the tournament director, he has a right to feel angry and upset and his comments are appropriate to those feelings.
Has he gone to France anyway? I thought players still had to honour their media commitments at the tournament even if they pulled out beforehand - or is that just the WTA?
Even so, if he doesn't feel that he's ready to return then it's his call, no matter how late he makes it. He shouldn't be press-ganged into playing against his will by some angry Gallic man with a clear grudge. Forget Marseille in future, Andy. Whether you should have handled the withdrawal better or not, Monsieur Cajole (see what I did there? - quite apt, I think) is not worth doing a favour for.
February 15, 2010, 10:52 AM
By Mark
By Mark
I think you're being a little harsh on the tournament director, he has a right to feel angry and upset and his comments are appropriate to those feelings.
Oh I agree, just saying that he shouldn't bother to mend this bridge now because it's burned for good. We can see the director's behaviour on the matter and if Andy's is true, then both of them look bad IMO. Hope Andy didn't do these things, because it is fairly out of order - unless he gave warning when he made the requests that he might still pull out.
All in all, if he's not ready to return, then that's the end of it. Hope he really isn't ready though and it's not some excuse to spend some time with Kim!
February 15, 2010, 10:56 AM
By Joe
By Joe
I didn't think of that! It is terrible to speculate like this but maybe an offer to meet up with Kim was too irresistible, never know!
February 15, 2010, 11:07 AM
By Mark
By Mark
Five hotel rooms makes him sound like such a diva!
Anyway, I totally understand why the organisers are so angry but also appreciate Andy's position as he's currently experimenting with a lighter schedule. He needs to figure it out fast so he can give proper notice to tournaments.
Anyway, I totally understand why the organisers are so angry but also appreciate Andy's position as he's currently experimenting with a lighter schedule. He needs to figure it out fast so he can give proper notice to tournaments.
One each for him and his team? Yeah, real diva.
February 15, 2010, 11:47 AM
By Clydey
By Clydey
It was a joke, I'm well aware it's for each member of his team.
February 15, 2010, 12:03 PM
By Mark
By Mark
I can understand the tournie directors frustration, but to start calling for suspension is not going to impress the other players much which wont help him at all next year
February 15, 2010, 01:08 PM
By LC the fan
By LC the fan
Anyway, I totally understand why the organisers are so angry but also appreciate Andy's position as he's currently experimenting with a lighter schedule. He needs to figure it out fast so he can give proper notice to tournaments.
By Mark