Davydenko hits out at Murray
Nikolay Davydenko has spoken out against Andy Murray's claims
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Friday, 12, Oct 2007 09:28
World number four Nikolay Davydenko has slammed British number one Andy Murray for his comments regarding match-fixing in tennis.
The Russian, whose defeat in a match against Argentina's Martin Vassallo Arguello at the Poland Open earlier this year sparked an ATP investigation, said it was "folly" for Murray to wade into the argument.
And he also issued a thinly-veiled accusation that the Briton may be closely involved in the controversy.
"If Murray says that he knows, that means that he gambles himself," said Davydenko, who reached the quarter-finals of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow after Murray had been knocked out.
"People who start talking out loud have their fears disappear. And they know that if they speak out loud, it means that they are free, they have not done it.
"Since Murray was describing in detail how it goes on, it means he went deep into it. As if he was never involved, but he knows how it works in detail. It was folly of him to say this."
Murray's remarks also prompted comment from world number two Rafael Nadal, who dismissed the claims outright.
"I doubt Murray knows more than anyone else – he's gone overboard and there are no fixed games," the Spaniard said.
Murray himself claims his comments to BBC Radio Five Live earlier this week were "taken out of context".
In a statement on his website, the 20-year-old said: "The comments that I made with regard to betting in tennis have been taken out of context and I would like to clarify them.
"When I said 'everyone knows that it's going on' I meant that everyone has probably heard that three or four players have spoken out about being offered money to lose matches - which they refused.
"I am glad that the tennis governing bodies are coming together to set up an anti-corruption unit to address this and I stand fully behind this effort.
"Tennis has been a part of my entire life and it is a privilege to compete at the highest levels of the sport."