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.

I wish other prominent male sports pros followed his lead

Like football? How often does Kelly Smith appear in lists of most capped English footballers?

Sue Macartney 🤔🙄 have you read my previous posts about Murray. Do you even know what the OP's thread is about

I in no way said Murray is a racist, some of you need to learn to read. I actually praised him on his response,

I am specifically talking about the journalist Jesus wept

Olen's I think I'll stay on this one, but thanks

Orlantina. I'm assuming you commented without reading, pretty sure my comments relate to both sexism and racism

I'm assuming you commented without reading, pretty sure my comments relate to both sexism and racism

I read your comments.

He ignored the Williams sisters. Does that mean he ignored them because they are women or because they are black women?

On a similar note to the original post, I was reminded by it of this excellent piece by Serena Williams: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/29/dream-big-open-letter-serena-williams-porter-magazine-incredible-women-of-2016-issue-women-athletes?CMP=share_btn_tw

Orlantina read again I was pretty clear and won't repeat

Yep, good on him

Orlantina there is reading and understanding, clearly you lack the ability to do both.

there is reading and understanding, clearly you lack the ability to do both

What makes you think the journalist is being racist and sexist?

Here is the FWR thread on John McEnroe and Serena Williams - 98 posts when I last checked, which is a pretty big thread by FWR standards

"Sue Macartney 🤔🙄 have you read my previous posts about Murray. Do you even know what the OP's thread is about"

For someone criticising others for not reading properly, you seem to have missed the fact that I started this thread...

I suspect the journalist would have said the same if the Williams sisters were white. I've certainly heard some reporters say that Murray was the first British winner of Wimbledon since Fred Perry.

There was a thread about Serena Williams very recently.

Good on Andy Murray for this.

Kiga, I have to say, I agree with Orla here. I don't quite understand why you think the journalist is being racist here? Unless I'm still totally missing the point.

Actually I do see your point. I see the Williams sisters as women first and other people no doubt see them as black people first.

So was the journalist being racist OR sexist?

Andy Murray could easily have said "white player" instead of "male player" and no doubt a thread could be started reminding journalists that black people exist.

I suppose the argument against that is that black, male athletes are remembered by journalists.

But yes, it is a mind flip. I see the sexism first. Others see the racism first.

Oh yes I do see your point now Kiga. Sorry, I really didn't get what you meant before.

I suppose that as sport is divided by sex and male athletes are paid more highly than women, I was thinking sexist rather than racist. Of course entirely possible he's both

Sport tends to be divided by male/female, so that's why people tend to see that side first.

What Serena & Venus have achieved is HUGE. They have dominated the game for so long, yet they are talked about so little. I'm sure that they're part of the reason why prize money is finally becoming equal. They're such icons within the tennis world, that it seems ridiculous for journalists not to reference them. I can't imagine any interview talking about swimming and ignoring Michael Phelps.

Good on Andy Murray for not forgetting about them, even when exhausted and dis-spirited. Even more good on the Williams sisters for being the stars that they are. I just wish some other sports could have such great success stories.

Maybe if he had said white instead of male. But black men in sport are championed.

If the tennis player had been a man, it wouldn't have come up, it was black women who got ignored. I think because they are women.

I don't know much about sprinting but Usain Bolt isn't ignored. I honestly don't know who his female counterpart is. I'm not into sprinting, but the best man is a celebrity if you like, regardless of race.

Whereas the Williams sisters are celebrities because they have dominated their game and are just a pleasure to watch.

But the game is divided by sex, not race. By saying "first American" what the reporter clearly meant was "first American man", not "first American white player". I don't think there's any racism here.

Andy Murray could easily have said "white player" instead of "male player" and no doubt a thread could be started reminding journalists that black people exist.

kiga - one of the female US tennis players who has reached a semi final is white though. So it was the achievements of women that the journalist decided to disregard, rather than the achievements of black people. This proves that it was sexism at play rather than racism. So andy couldn't have said your statement above as it would have been incorrect.

Also, if the journalist had said "Sam is the first white male US player to reach a semi final since 09", that would have been a racist comment in my view as there is no need to race to be brought into the statement whatsoever.

"Andy Murray could easily have said "white player" instead of "male player" and no doubt a thread could be started reminding journalists that black people exist" Well, yes he could have done. But it was patently obviously women who were being disregarded by the interviewer. If there had been black male Americans through then the question wouldn't have been asked.