There were some interesting exchanges between players a few days ago.

The “row” started after recently retired Croat Ivan Ljubicic posted the following Tweet.

“Wonder how our tour would look if European players were skipping American tourneys the way Americans are skipping European Tournaments”

This understandly provoked responses from American’s including Mardy Fish who has missed the two clay Masters due to an undisclosed illness.

“Some of us aren’t skipping tournaments bc we want to do ur homework before u make dumb generalized comments,”

John Isner & Andy Roddick spoke out in defense of their countryman with their own Tweets

Roddick

“I know for a fact that @mardyfish is going through some serious physical issues right now. … Irresponsible tweet by @ivanljubicic1. … also I definitely always respect the choices of ATP tour veterans because I know all of us do what’s in the best interest of our health and our careers. … I expect the same in return “

Isner

“Pretty sure Mardy Fish is sick,”

A short while after Ljubicic posted another comment to help diffuse the row.

“My tweet regarding american &european players was to open the discussion rather than offend somebody. But I see some people got offended. And I am sorry for that. Wasn’t the plan. And I definitely wish @MardyFish fast recovery!!!”

Hopefully players will think before hitting the “Tweet” button.

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• French Open Day 7 Round Up – May 29, 2011
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• Fish Gets Caught Again – April 15, 2012

The blue clay may not be the only talking point in Madrid this weekend. Another high profile player, 4th Seed Andy Murray, has today withdrawn from the tournament.

This is in addition to the earlier story we brought you regarding the withdraw of Americian duo Andy Roddick & Mardy Fish, the former also pulling out of Rome.

A back injury is the reason behind the withdraw.

“It is with regret that on doctors advice I have to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open with injury,” Murray said in a statement on the Madrid website. “I always love coming to Madrid so it is a big disappointment. I look forward to returning next year and wish everyone a great week of tennis.”

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, an early casualty in Munich this week, will take the No. 4 seed slot. The draw for the tournament will be held on Saturday afternoon.

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• Andy Roddick Fuming Over Rome Fine for Him and Mardy Fish – May 18, 2011

The American number one, Mardy Fish has continued his poor form in 2012 with a second round loss to Michael Russell in the Houston clay court championship.

Fish was the number one seed at the event and despite his recent disappointments, was expected to come through his encounter with his compatriot. Russell, who came through qualifying, did play some inspiring tennis but if Mardy was playing even half as good as he is capable of he would have won, it seemed as if his first serve had deserted him in the second set and his backhand failed to penetrate the court, with unforced errors flying off his racquet.

If this had been a continuation of the hard court season then although it would have been disappointing it wouldn’t be as bad whereas this is the beginning of the clay court swing! Mardy has a chance to prepare well for the clay season but it seems as if he is determined to slide down the rankings and ruin all the hard work from 2011, whats worse is that he has chosen not too participate in the Monte Carlo Masters in the coming week. Luckily Fish has hardly any points to defend in Madrid, however he will need to be playing well by Rome and of course Roland Garros as he has a lot of points to defend and if he crashes out early, he will be looking at dropping outside the top 10!

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Gael Monfils has been forced to withdraw from the French team due to play the USA in the 2nd Round of this years Davis Cup.

During a practice session on Sunday he developed pain and a subsequent MRI scan has revealed a lesion on his left oblique muscle. This injury will need approximately 15 days to heal putting his entry into the Monte-Carlo Masters at risk, the tournament starts on Monday 16 April. French Captain, Guy Forget, is yet to name a replacement.

Mardy Fish has not travelled with the USA team after a health scare brought about by a “heavy playing schedule”. Doctors advised the 30 year old to rest and team Captain Jim Courier has called on the services of young hopeful Ryan Harrison.

‘I’m extremely disappointed that I am physically unable to join the team,’ read a statement from Fish. ‘I had a minor health scare in Miami last week and stayed in Florida to heed the doctor’s recommendation to rest for a few days.

‘I hope to be able to resume my training later this week and possibly compete next week in Houston. I value every opportunity to compete in Davis Cup and wish I could be with my teammates this week.’

A speedy recovery to both players.

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I never knew that Juan Monaco was dating model Zaira Nara. Well anyways.. Juan Monaco had a great birthday yesterday as he defeated Mardy Fish in the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open and the win was watch by his girlfriend. Wonder what present she gave him for his birthday.

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My main man, world number 4 Andy Murray hasn’t had much luck the last couple of years in Miami, since winning the tournament in 2009 Murray has failed to win a set, let alone a match at the Sony Ericsson open in Key Biscayne, with defeats to Mardy Fish in 2010 and Russian veteran Alex Bogomolov, Jr in 2011. Andy’s been having a ball in Miami this year, after his shock defeat in Indian Wells, he set off for Miami for early preparations with his coach Ivan Lendl and the work seems to have paid off! While Murray hasn’t really been tested yet, its been good to see him progress and not fall at the first hurdle as he has so done the last 2 years. Andy wiped out Alejandro Falla in round 2 after being byed through the first round, his promising match up with Milos Raonic wasn’t meant to be as the Canadian withdrew from their 3rd round clash with a right ankle injury, which meant Andy had reached a 4th round encounter with  Gilles Simon.

The first game of the match, with Murray serving, was what I expected from two natural counter punchers, both playing differently paced balls and trying to force an error. The opening game lasted 17 minutes, with 7 deuces and 3 thrilling break points, but Murray’s defensive capabilities were too much for Simon and he held serve. The Frenchman was able to keep his first service game short, but not as short as Murray’s next service game, Andy used the 1-2 punch effectively against Simon, stepping in and taking the ball early to stop Simon’s incredible defensive techniques having any use, which led him to break the Frenchman’s serve. The remainder of the set went with serve, Murray came out to serve for it, earning 3 set points, he hit a second serve ace up the Tee to seal the first set.

Simon was unable to make any impact on the Murray serve throughout the second set, so he did his best to hold serve. The Frenchman held from 0-40 to lead 3-2 but was broken to 15 on his next service game. Simon couldn’t cope with some sensational shot making from the British number 1, including a so very precise forehand lob landing on the outer edge of the baseline. Andy very quickly earned 3 match points and finished up with an ace. The Brit plays 9th seed Janko Tipsarevic in the Quarters, with Andy leading their head to head 4-3, The world number 3′s performance today was a reassuring one and he should be extremely positive with his chances of repeating his 2009 success in Miami.

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Matthew Ebden has had yet another great win at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Ebden defeated Julien Benneteau in the first round and now he has defeated Mardy Fish (world number 8).

Ebden defeated Fish 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 25 mintures. This is Ebden’s first win against a top 10 player and even if he losses his next round match to John Isner, he will pick up some great points and move much higher than 91 in the world.

“Especially in America, to beat the top player here is, it’s an incredible feeling,” Ebden said. “Very big win. I’m pleased with my progress.”

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Mardy Fish struggled in Melbourne and is out of the Australian Open 2012. Fish lost to Alejandro Falla 6-7 3-6 6-7 and freely expressed his irritation that Falla was treated for cramps at the change of ends.

“I see that guy’s called the trainer three, four times, however many times he was out there. It’s hot and I’m down two sets to love and I’m looking for anything to sort of gain the momentum a little bit. They’re making the balls bigger and heavier. They’re making it to where it’s such a physical match now that you’re going to have guys that are going to abuse that a lot. So, yeah, I thought he was having some physical issues. But then in between on every point he was totally fine.

Mardy I understand your pain!

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Caroline Wozniacki rips out an amazing serve to ace Mardy Fish at the Hopman Cup 2012.

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We have reached the last tournament of the ATP season featuring the 8 best players of the year competing for the ultimate honor in men’s tennis. Let’s take a look at the two groups and who will feature in each one.

Group A:

1. Novak Djokovic

3. Andy Murray

5. David Ferrer

7. Tomas Berdych

Group B:

2. Rafael Nadal

4. Roger Federer

6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

8. Mardy Fish

Play is due to start on Sunday November 20, 2011 at 7 am Eastern time with coverage being streamed on the Tennis Channel in the US. First up is Group B with Federer vs Tsonga and later on Nadal vs Fish. There should be some very good tennis up on display during the week and it will be exciting to see which of the Top 4 will hold up best, or if a dark horse should emerge from the shadows to claim the title at this year’s year-ending championships. Stay tuned!

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