Serena Williams has praised Andy Murray for correcting a reporter who seemed unaware that successful female tennis players even exist. After being beaten by US player Sam Querrey, Murray was asked about Querrey being “the first American player” to reach the semi-final of a grand slam tournament since 2009. At which point, Murray quietly interrupted, saying: “Male player”, in reference to the Williams sisters, Coco Vandeweghe and Madison Keys. Indeed, Serena Williams actually won Wimbledon last year.
Previously, Murray corrected someone saying that he was the first player to win two Olympic tennis golds by pointing out that the Williams sisters had won four each. After his comments this time, Serena Williams said: “I don’t think there should be a woman player, and there shouldn’t be a female athlete, who isn’t completely supportive of Andy Murray. He has spoken up for women’s issues and women’s rights, especially in tennis, for forever.” Quite. Murray’s refusal to go along with the selective amnesia surrounding female tennis achievements is laudable. It’s even more welcome after John McEnroe’s recent bizarre observation that Serena Williams would be seeded “like, 700” in the male ranks. That would be Serena Williams – the 23-time grand slam winner?
So good for Andy Murray. He might permanently sport a facial expression that suggests he has just trodden barefoot on a mousetrap, but clearly something is ticking away up there.
However, it’s noticeable that when a man defends women, he receives plaudits. But when women try to defend themselves or other women, they risk being branded “shrill”, “pushy”, “harpies” and the rest. While Murray should be applauded for supporting women like this, so should women be applauded for sticking up for themselves, their records and each other – and that doesn’t always happen.
