Murray – Del Potro: Bad Blood?

In a promotional bit before the start of the US Open, boxing promoter Don King staged a pugilistic-styled “Grapple in the Apple” weigh-in of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Perhaps those two mild-mannered players weren’t the best choice for the event.

Wednesday afternoon’s matchup of sixth-seeded Brit Andy Murray, 21, and the 19-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who’s riding a 23-match win streak, comes against a backdrop of a supposed feud that has piqued interest in an already anticipated encounter.

Del Potro and Murray, 16 months apart, have known each other since junior days, but it was their May match in Rome earlier this year that has the two of them, and others privy to their playing history, talking.

In a testy match, Del Potro allegedly launched a ball at the feisty Murray’s head. At a changeover at 5-4 in the second set, the two engaged in sideline trash-talking that the umpire tried in vain to extinguish. The sit-down squabble began with Murray complaining about the attempted beaning, to which Del Potro retorted, somewhat elliptically: “You and your mother, the same always.”

That set Murray off, incensed that the Argentine would dare invoke his mum: “If you ever speak about my mum again!” The umpire pleaded with both players “to save it ‘til later.” “That is unacceptable!” cried Murray.

Del Potro sat stoically, staring straight ahead.

Murray was asked whether there was some unfinished business between the two in his press conference, after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka to advance to the match against the 6-foot-6 Del Potro.

“I haven't spoken to him since, so whether there is or not, for me it's another tennis match,” said Murray. “When you get on the court you've got to put your emotions aside and get the job done.

“Whether I like Del Potro or not really doesn't make any difference,” he continued. “When you get on the tennis court it's another match, and you've got to win.”

Murray won that first and only bout in a TKO; after splitting sets with the big Argentine, Del Potro was forced to retire with an injury in the third set.

For the curious, there’s charming youtube video evidence (complete with amusing Eurosport commentary seemingly encouraging fisticuffs) to stir the pot:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=muM-UQc_Tnk

Round 2 between these two combatants – technically the quarterfinals – is coming up Wednesday on Athur Ashe Stadium. Be there!