F1Break

Sports people should really exercise a little caution when it comes to making comparisons to opponents. Following his dramatic win over Richard Gasquet on Tuesday, Andy Murray showed off his newly-enlarged biceps to the world.

Inevitably, subsequent questions from the press contrasted Murray's beefed up appearance with Spaniard Rafa Nadal, renowned for being one of the more muscular players on the tour.

"You've not seen me with my shirt off," enthused Murray. "I'm probably not going to be as big as him, but in terms of definition I think I'm up there."

This was some claim, and I suspect not entirely true. But despite Murray's declaration of matching Nadal in terms of physique, the world number two proved comfortably superior on-court, winning their quarter-final encounter in straight sets 6-3 6-2 6-4.

Jenson Button may not have enjoyed Nadal's sporting success, but there can be little doubting his commitment. Despite having something of a playboy reputation upon entering Formula One, Button has worked hard on his physical preparation and is acknowledged as one of the fittest drivers competing.

It's not all gym work for Button, though, and he's been willing to prove his fitness in public, regularly taking part in triathlons. Recently he competed in the Royal Windsor event, finishing an impressive 117th out of 1,700.

On the back of the widespread media coverage Button's exploits have received, this week Lewis Hamilton stated his belief that he is in fact fitter than the Honda driver. Somewhat unsurprisingly, this lead to Button laying down the gauntlet, and a challenge was issued in today's (Thursday) press conference.

After consulting his phone to ensure no prior commitments, Hamilton agreed to join Button in the Bath Triathlon on 27 July. Whoever came out on top would select a charity for the other driver to provide a donation of £10,000. All very sporting, and potentially could have offered great publicity for both men and the sport as a whole.

McLaren certainly had no objections, according to Ian Parkes of the Press Association. Sadly, though, someone else did.

"Lewis accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, and in the spirit with which he accepts things," stated Anthony Hamilton [Lewis' father]. "Unfortunately for Lewis, we are withdrawing him from this."

Oh dear. I'm not sure that welching on an agreement less than an hour after making said arrangement necessarily could be described as being a 'good sport'.

Image courtesy of JMP Photography