British tennis legend Andy Murray is a gender equality ‘icon’ who has done so much to help women’s sport, according to Wimbledon 2024 star Coco Gauff.
Murray famously corrected a journalist at Wimbledon 2017 after the reporter said Sam Querrey was ‘the first US player to reach a major semi-final since 2009′.
The former world No.1 reminded the journalist that he was only talking about male players, with far more success for the US on the female side of the sport, thanks to the likes of Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
‘That’s my boy,’ Murray’s mother Judy posted on social media in response to her son correcting the reporter – and it’s not the only time her son has defended and championed women’s sport – with American star Gauff keen to thank the Briton.
‘I just watched a video about him correcting reporters on statistics,’ Gauff said in her post-match Wimbledon press conference on Wednesday after her second-round win over Anca Todoni.
The current US Open champion, who is seeded second at the Championships in the women’s singles and next faces British qualifier Sonay Kartal, added: ‘It’s something that as a female player, you’ll see a lot where people will be like ‘this guy was the first player to do this.’ And it’s like well, Serena and Venus did it…
‘Or another player did it ages ago. Or like the first American… and I’m like ‘I did it. Jess did it.’ I really appreciate him, not only him, also his mother for everything they’ve done for equality for women’s sports.
‘I think his legacy is that he’s just a fighter. The most inspiration I have for him is no matter what court he’s playing, whether it’s Centre Court here or an ITF, he’s putting 100 per cent effort into that.
‘It’s really unfortunate that he couldn’t get one last healthy match out here because he definitely deserves to end his career on his terms.
‘I hope the doubles go well with his brother. He’s an icon of the sport and he’s had an incredible career that a lot of people dream of.’
Back in 2014, Murray announced Amelie Mauresmo as his new coach, and unfortunately she faced numerous sexist comments within professional tennis.
Marinko Matosevic, an Australian tennis player, called Murray ‘politically correct’ for hiring a female coach.
Murray, defending his decision to work with Mauresmo, said: ‘Have I become a feminist? Well, if being a feminist is about fighting so that a woman is treated like a man then yes, I suppose I have.’
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