Greg Rusedski blamed a mystery stomach ailment for his first-round loss in the Australian Open on Tuesday and said the bug had hit a handful of other players and even a tournament doctor.
The 30-year-old Briton said a ”heavy fever” and intestinal problems over the weekend had restricted him to 30 minutes of practice before his match against 26th-seeded Albert Costa.
The Spaniard clobbered him in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
”I only think it was difficult because Saturday I had a fever and have had gastroenteritis,” Rusedksi told a post-match press conference.
”I’ve hit a half an hour of tennis balls since Saturday. That’s what made it difficult today, to be honest with you.”
Rusedski said he had spoken to ”three or four” other players and one tournament doctor who were suffering from the same unexplained illness.
”I don’t know whether it’s food poisoning, whatever,” he said.
”One of the doctors actually has it as well … But that’s just life. Can’t do anything about it.”
Tournament doctors said a couple of players appeared to have caught viral gastroenteritis while playing in the Sydney International last week before coming to Melbourne.
”It will clear up in a couple of days, it’s not a contagious thing,” a tournament spokesperson said. — Sapa-AFP