"Would love to see new generation of female players step up in the way Venus & Serena Williams did" - Andy Murray's mother Judy
Andy Murray's mother Judy wants the current generation of female tennis players to do what Venus and Serena Williams did in their prime, not necessarily on the court but off the court, at least.
In a recent interview with Eurosport, the British coach recalled how the legendary Billie Jean King inspired her to use her voice to speak out for things she believed in, urging her to use her status as a female coach and the mother of multiple Grand Slam champions.
“I remember Billie Jean King saying to me many years ago, ‘If you don’t make a noise, nobody will hear you’.
"And she was the one who encouraged me to use my voice and use my profile as a female coach and mother of two Grand Slam champions, to speak out for things that I believed in, or against things that weren’t right," Judy Murray said.
Having done that and seeing others do the same, Judy Murray said that the most powerful voices often belong to those at the top of their profession, like the Williams sisters, who used their platforms time and again to affect change.
Andy Murray's mother praised Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka for following in their footsteps, standing up for what they believe in and not being afraid to "rock the boat." She also wants more current superstars to tread the same path.
“I think the most powerful voices are people who are recognisable within their sport. And I would love to see more of the new generation of female players step up in the way that Serena did and Venus did, and use their platforms to affect change, whatever it is that they believe in," Judy Murray said.
Andy Murray's mother continued:
“I think we see it very nicely with Coco Gauff, with Naomi Osaka; I think they’ve been absolutely brilliant, because the younger generation identify with them and they will listen to them.
"They speak the same language, they live in the same world. I think it is about standing out for what you believe in and not being afraid to speak up and rock the boat."
"We as women are in the best position we have been for some time to speak up" - Andy Murray's mother Judy
Andy Murray's mother Judy also spoke about thte importance of having both male and female allies in the fight for equality, She added that women are in the best position to speak up about the issues that matter to and affect them:
“I think in the years that I’ve been involved, I understand how important it is to have male allies and females who are prepared to speak up and stand up and show up for things that they believe in.
"And I think we as women are probably in the best position that we have been for some time to speak up," Judy Murray said.