Murray Reveals Persistent Illness Could Rule Him Out of Davis Cup

Andy Murray has admitted there is a doubt over whether he will play for Great Britain in next week's Davis Cup tie in Glasgow against Ukraine, after pulling out of his quarter-final against Richard Gasquet in the Dubai Open. Murray has been feeling unwell since beating Marcel Granollers in the second round of the Australian Open last month, and believes he may have a persistent virus.

"I will have to take a rest and see how I feel," he said. "If I'm not feeling right, I won't play in the Davis Cup. If I'm fine, I will."

Murray had a stomach virus before the last Davis Cup tie in Glasgow, against Serbia in 2006, when he played only in the doubles and found the occasion difficult to handle, ending up being fined for swearing.

"It was closer to the tie when I was feeling ill last time," Murray said. "I am much more experienced about this now. If my body needs rest I will take it."

The 21-year-old began the year as favorite to win the first grand slam of the year, but this setback is an annoying blow. Murray has the best record on the men's tour with 15 wins out of 16 so far, but suddenly the future is looking uncertain after the revelations about the length of this illness.

Murray has only felt better for a few days since the Australian Open and pulled out of Marseille last week. Here in Dubai he began to feel worse after his impressive straight-sets win over Arnaud Clément in the second round yesterday.

"I woke up in the middle of the night sweating," he said. "I went to the doctor and started taking antibiotics, 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.

"I don't know what it is, some virus perhaps, but after playing Granollers I didn't feel great and I've not felt 100% since.

"There were a couple of days in Rotterdam [the week before last] when I felt better, but I haven't felt well again since I have been here."

Mononucleosis, a fever accompanied by constant fatigue, hit Roger Federer last year, and contributed to Justine Henin's retirement in 2008. If this was the diagnosis for Murray, he would then need to take longer off.

"I've had a blood test, and I've had antibiotics before for five or six days," he said. "I will have to fly home tomorrow and take some time off and see how I'm feeling in a few days."

Remarkably Murray says he didn't feel well during his impressive performance against Clément yesterday, though after giving his press conference he did place his forehead on the table for several seconds.

"In between sets I felt tired, really weak," added Murray. "You know where it feels like the adrenaline wears off, I felt cold and shivery. So obviously my temperature is up. My body is aching a little bit. I need to take some time off."