‘Liar, liar, pants on fire!’ – Andy Murray takes parting shot at Fernando Verdasco after US Open exit

Parting shot | Murray goes in on Verdasco with
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Newman30 August 2018

Andy Murray was at the centre of an extraordinary row with opponent Fernando Verdasco following his exit from the US Open second round in the early hours of this morning.

Tournament organisers had again allowed male ­players to take a 10-minute break before the fourth set, as sweltering conditions, with temperatures approaching 36C, once more hit Flushing Meadows. But the rules also state that players must not receive coaching during the break, which Murray claims Verdasco did.

“When I came out of the shower, his coach and one of the Spanish doubles players were in there chatting to him, and you’re not allowed to speak to your coach,” said the 31-year-old former world No1, who reported the incident to a tournament official.

“They probably weren’t aware of the rule. I’m not blaming Fernando and his team — they certainly weren’t trying to break any rules — but it shouldn’t be for the player that’s competing against him to have to go to the supervisor.”

However, 34-year-old Spaniard Verdasco vehemently denied Murray’s claim, saying his coach was only in the locker room to go to the toilet.

“I was in the ice bath with Marcos Baghdatis and his coach,” Verdasco said. “I don’t want to say that Andy lied, but I didn’t talk one word with my coach or any one member of my team. I know exactly the rule and I don’t want to be the one breaking it.”

Murray, who lost the tie in four sets, later took to Instagram to thank fans for their support after his exit, but could not resist a tongue-in-cheek dig at Verdasco, posting: “I’m off to get a health check as apparently I’ve started imagining things” before using the hashtag #liarliarpantsonfire.

Meanwhile, Murray said it is “completely normal” to have doubts about whether he can return to the top of the game, following his long-term absence after undergoing hip surgery.

The three-times Grand Slam winner said: “You just don’t know exactly what’s round the corner.

“When I got the injury, I was ranked No1 in the world, 12 months later things completely changed. If things keep going smoothly, physically I continue to improve, I believe that I will get back to competing for the biggest competitions, but I think it’s completely normal to have doubts.”

Murray also said he would love to play in Great Britain’s Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan in Glasgow next month but will first have to assess his fitness after his US Open exertions.

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