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.

Looking forward a woman being taken seriously and praised when she highlights everyday sexism.

Instead of being dismissed
Being told to calm down
Being told it's not important
It's trivial
Having Piers Morgan and Katie Hopkins criticise her on TV and in the Daily Mail.

orlantina I agree.

Let's face, ALL tennis players benefit from having stars that get media attention, so the Williams sisters have helped to raise the profile of the sport overall, not just for women. Which makes it doubly crap that they get ignored when a journalist is interviewing a white man, as if there haven't been these 2 players who have managed to get more of a spotlight on tennis.

Very impressed by Mr M! Well done that man.

Why are we woohooing? He is a decent man. That's the normal

We hope

I don't think it is the norm Assigned, hence the woohooing.

Whilst I find it somewhat galling that men are often lauded for challenging sexism and given huge praise by women for doing so - as I mentioned in this thread and something I do myself - I think Andy Murray does deserve praise as he clearly notices this issue and cares, doesn't seek praise for doing so but simply wants to stand up against sexism as he consistently does.

I agree SueMacartney. Many men, not least in sport, don't challenge sexism even if they don't perpetuate it (which a fair few do as well).

I love Murray, and I am not even particularly into tennis. Not just for this kind of thing - which he does a lot, but because he seems to be pretty decent overall, and doesn't seem to overly care what the media think of him. As a result, there are plenty in the media keen to talk him down.

His attitude should be normal and not even worth commenting on, but sadly it is not.

I hope once Murray is no longer playing competitively he takes up the cause of prejudice in sport, he could have a lot of influence for the good.

Love the "oh for god's sake" look on his face.

Love Andy Murray, seems like an all round decent bloke who doesn't give a shit what the media thinks. His wife is a very lucky woman.

The context was discussing the men's competition. Murray just being Murray.

No he responds like this each time it happens. I do feel the Lta haven't utilised Murray in the way they should. Maybe it will happen after he retires. Not just with regards to women s tennis but with regard to nurturing future talent. He would be ideal to say what needs to be said about the way tennis for children is organised in thus country.

birds yes maybe he has to focus on the singles for now. Judy is more involved in that kind of thing at the moment. I have seen him do bits of stuff and supporting what she does, but maybe he hasn't got the time atm.

Birds Maybe that's because he said of his brother Jamie "He used to have a decent singles game until the LTA got ahold of him" or something to that effect.

Although by involving Judy they are coming round to a different way of thinking. With pretty spectacular effect it must be said.

I think there is a very strong feminist story in Judy's life as well.

But he is right green, and judy had said pretty much the same. Because they have lived it, and decided coaching in another country was the way to go

But ugh, you're so right, how is it possible that women are so completely absent from the journaliat's frame of reference that he behaves as if the point Murray's making doesn't even make sense?!

This reminds me of a time on Homes Under the Hammer when a woman was waving her arm about for her bid in the auction to be acknowledged and the auctioneer couldn't even see her and yet was counting bids from men all around her who made just the tiniest of movements. He might as well have said 'sorry love, could you stop waving, please, you're blocking my view and we're trying to have an auction here'

Usual stuff from Andy

I luffs him

He kind of irritated me before. Not sure why.
Love him now, after this!

You can't get much better than being praised by Serena Williams in tennis: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40606775

I'm a big tennis fan and have followed Andy's progress since he won the Wimbledon Boys' title.

And here's a link to Serena, who says that all the women players love him for the way he acknowledges women's tennis.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40606775

Not only does he stick up for them, he actually said, when asked which player he most admired or like to watch, (can't remember the exact question) Agnetha Radwanska - a female player.

On top of that he does oodles for charity - he helped organise the special Queen's Club event to raise money for the Royal Marsden when his tennis compatriot Ross Hutchins got leukaemia and again a year later "Rally for Bally" when Elena Baltacha was diagnosed with liver cancer.

Again, can't remember the exact quote, but former American no 1 Andy Roddick said of Murray, that he was different. Lots of players put on the nice act when they are playing and are not so nice off court. Andy is not so nice when he is playing but is a really good guy off court. Wish I could find the quote but I can't.

Sorry NoLove. X posted!

When he was presented with his first Sports Personality of the Year award, he said he was honoured to have it presented by arguably the best player ever

Yes, I know he qualified it by using "arguably" but it was Martina Navratilova

Not at all whoputthecatout - yours was far more substantial!

I love Andy Murray. He makes all those hateful men who like to degrade women look like useless, pathetic, worthless pieces of crap!! I hope me makes some of them think!!