Andy Murray having to remind sports journalists (again) that women exist

[SueMacartney]

https://mobile.twitter.com/jamiemacc_/status/885189154128224257

From his post-match interview after losing to Querrey today.

He's called out journalists before and no doubt will have to again. (Side note - does any other high profile male do this? In any field?) Relieved to hear it wasn't John Inverdale this time.

It's just struck me though, these journalists have sat and followed the women's matches because that's their job and they know who's won what, who's in which match, the stats etc and yet STILL they completely disregard them.

How can we increase the prominence of women's sport to the wider public if the journalists themselves, who are one of the links between the public and the sport, write female athletes off as irrevelant? Just reinforces the message that they're not important.

He keeps doing this. He is lovely.

Serena Williams has spoken very highly of Andy and his support for women. I think he's fab.

The clip is somehow even better than it reads. The way he reaches down to scratch his leg when he realises what's being said. His body language screams that he's fed up with the lack of respect shown to the women of tennis and their achievements. The way he grunts as if to say "indeed" after the journalist laughs and says "that's for sure". He handled the situation perfectly. What's sad is these sorts of remarks are made so often that I'm ashamed to say, as a woman, I don't even think I notice half of them. I'm just so used to it as it's the way the world has been for all of my lifetime. People like Andy Murray are a real credit to our society and isn't it great having someone on the "other side" who is so widely known and respected in the sporting world, helping to fight this fight.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross

I love that quote.

When will men realise that standing up for women makes everyone appreciate them. Not just women.

It truly takes nothing away. Women will applaud, men will think - without prejudice.

I concur Passmethewine, it's even better when viewed. His disdain for the question as it was asked is excellent. It's also great when men such as him point these things out and challenge them as when women do they're invariably attacked or met with "don't you have anything bigger to worry about?"

I'm warming to him more and more with his support for sportswomen.

His attitude is just so great.

I salute him & his mother, Judy, who has obviously had a lot of input!

So sad to see him crash out of Wimbledon with injury - hope he recovers soon.

I'm very impressed with Andy Murray.

Are we just going to ignore the fact he was also casually racist? The whole point was to ignore the fact that the Williams sisters have been in the semi-finals and finals of Wimbledon numerous times, so it's doubly insulting or maybe he thinks they are not American

Bravo by the way to Andy he dealt with it brilliantly

kiga - I think the word he forgot (or chose not) to use was male though. How is this a racism issue? I'm just curious, you may well be right and I'm more than likely just missing it somewhere along the lines?

First US player since 2009

Did the journalist forget to say first "white, male' player? because his default thinking is white and male and no other type of person exists?

Hi Pass my point is the journalist stated that the male player was the first American to be in a final since 2009. Both Williams sisters as Americans have been in the Wimbledon semi's and final several times since 2009. The journalist basically completely ignored there achievements like they don't even exist.

A few weeks ago a former player and sports journalist stated that Serena Williams would not even be in the top 100 of the overall best tennis players. Comparing her to her male counterparts. Rather than acknowledging her achievement as one of the best if not the best female tennis players of all time. I saw no uproar on mumsnet then.

On a side note I get frustrated with feminist posts on here because time and time again White feminists ignore and refuse to acknowledge Women of colours experience. It's like if it's never happened to you it doesn't exist.

My point is often for women of colour casual sexism is intertwined with casual racism.

What a lovely bloke he's really grown on me.

lovely man. im so sorry he didnt get through today, he seems so nice.

Kigali are you saying the journalist was racist or Murray was racist?

Re your point about McEnroe, there was a thread on here about that.

Not disagreeing with your point about casual sexism and racism though.

And this

kigali one of the US females who has reached the semi finals is white though, so I think although your point may ring true in other scenarios, I don't believe this to be one of them. He disregarded the achievements of four American females when he made the remark, who are of different ethnicities, so in this case it appears to be a matter of sex rather than race.

Kigali- when he was asked about being the first person to get 2 Olympic medals (or something like that he said "Venus and Serena have got about four each"

Not sure the racism charge stands. Happy to be corrected........

I also believe, from what I've seen and witnessed, that sexism is absolutely rife in tennis and more prevalent than racism in tennis at this moment in time. I may be wrong though.

Andy Murray is awesome. I wish other prominent male sports pros followed his lead. If they all consistently did it, surely even the densest of journos would get the message?

Kigali04 - you might be better off starting a new thread if you want to talk about POC and feminism

It would definitely have been racist if he had ignored a black, male player.

if he ignores a female player, regardless of race, what does that make the journalist guilty of?

Sexism is rife in tennis and sport generally. Women's sport is consistently overlooked, disregarded, belittled and not given anywhere near as much attention as men's. The (women's) cricket World Cup is currently going on with England doing excellently and reaching the semi-finals, for example. The casual ignoring and disregarding of women's sport and women's achievements is obviously sexist and so damaging for girls growing up, telling them sport is the preserve of boys and even if they excel they'll be deemed unimportant.

Agree with your point orlantina