Fatigue Illness Takes High Toll Among Tour Elite
British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd confirmed today that Andy Murray won't be available for this weekend's tie with Ukraine in Glasgow. The British No.1 and world No.4 is ill with a virus suspected as Glandular Fever.
Inevitably there will be those who question the veracity of Murray's condition and cast doubt on his general willingness to play for Team GB. However these kind of questions are passe nowadays. A more relevant issue for tennis fans and fans of Marion Bartoli, concerns the number of top players who have been struck down with this distressing and debilitating illness.
Glandular Fever, (or Mononucleosis) is a hard enough illness to cope with for anyone, let alone a sportsperson who completely depends on having their body in supreme condition in order to make a living. One wonders why there should be a near epidemic of this condition among elite players. Is this the tennis equivalent of royal inbreeding?
Upon reaching the Brisbane final in January, Marion revealed her own struggle with the illness, a malady which she shared with her favorite male player Roger Federer, and also Mario Ancic. Now Andy Murray looks set to join the recent casualty list of this fatiguing illness.
Thankfully Marion seems to be in better health at the moment. Considering the nature of the illness, it is at least reassuring that Marion has her ever present doctor dad to keep a close eye on her.
For more on the transmission, symptoms, and prognosis of Glandular Fever, see this article.
Edited 23:30
Other cases of 'mono' among prominant players
Bodo on Agnes Szavay
Nicole Vaidisova via ESPN
Edited Sat 14 March 2009
Glandular Fever has been ruled out in Murray's case and apparently he feels fine again, and currently playing at Indian Wells.
