007 shaken, stirred by exploits of fellow Scot Murray

Jun 27, 2005, 10:37 GMT

British actor Sean Connery (front row L) watches defending champion Roger Federer of Switzerland take on Nicolas Kiefer of Germany. (EPA/FABRICE COFFRINI)

The former James Bond star let rip with the BBC after watching the 18-year-old go down in the third round at the Wimbledon Championships to 2002 finalist David Nalbandian.

With the Murray fitness level a continuing concern - he lost with s sprained ankle and cramps at the tune-up event at Queen's club and then had to miss Nottingham - Connery said that a lack of training support is to blame.

"Andrew Murray is as gifted as anybody who's ever played the game. But what was evident was that he is not fit enough to stand up to the ritual," said Sir Sean.

And the longtime Scottish nationalist added: "The way that they help people, certainly from Scotland, is zilch in the UK. Andrew isn't funded so much and he's in Barcelona.

"I hope the tennis people get off their arses and do something about it and not hold it against him that he comes from Scotland."

The British press reports that paydays for the current number 312 who will move close to the top 200, are set to dramatically increase, with sponsor negotiations well underway for what Britain hopes is a new tennis hero.

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Russian Dmitry Tursunov, who has spent much of his tennis life in California, is keen to find a few more American sponsorship dollars after reaching the Wimbledon second week.

But the 22-year-old finds himself in a awkward position as he searches for even the most basic of modern tennis amenities - a clothing sponsor.

"I'm 22, by prodigy standards, I'm pretty old," admitted the number 152 who upset Tim Henman in the second round "I'm not an up-and-comer and I'm not a veteran either.

"It's very difficult for me to understand why I wouldn't have a sponsor. There are a lot of people who get free clothes, like Justine Henin's husband, he gets sponsored by adidas even though he doesn't play tennis.

"I guess I'm not a big enough exposure for certain companies."

Tursunov, who played the third round a year ago in his first main-draw appearance does get free rackets, but even there finds a problem of their supply - and his demand.

"I only have two actually, believe it or not. I've had some problems with the racquets, the weights and balancing...I'd broken a couple. I think that also the stick that I'm using is a pretty hard one to get.

"It kind of has to be way in advance. You have to call them up. Essentially what a player should be doing is they should have their racquets before the tournament. They shouldn't expect them to show up during the tournament."