Andy Murray: Banned players have no excuse
ANDY MURRAY has turned on two of his fellow Tour professionals, Marin Cilic and Viktor Troicki, and called them “unprofessional” after both served bans for drug offences.
And that could ignite a feud between the Wimbledon champion and world No2 Novak Djokovic, who has stood by fellow Serb Troicki ever since he received a 12-month suspension.
Murray said: “There almost has to be zero tolerance regarding drugs so that players do not think they can get away with cheating and regain the public’s trust. There can be no excuses for accidentally taking any substance.”
Troicki failed to provide a blood sample because he felt unwell, while Cilic took a banned substance contained in supplements bought by his mother in a pharmacy.
Murray said: “I’d never go and buy something over the counter, it’s just unprofessional.”
The LTA have announced tougher funding rules for their players from next year. No player over the age of 24 will be eligible for central funding.
Stanislas Wawrinka kept alive his hopes of reaching the semis at the ATP World Tour Finals in London by beating David Ferrer 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.