Murray calls for swift action in bid for equality

Andy Murray has spoken frankly about the need for equality in sport and criticised people in power for stalling on making the necessary changes to make it happen.

The two-time Wimbledon champion dismissed the notion that fair treatment for those of different gender or race was in some way “radical”.

Murray, 33, made the remarks in an “audio essay” for BBC Radio’s Rethink project which will be broadcast on BBC 5 Live today.

“In some ways it’s seen as being radical,” Murray said of striving for equality. “I feel like it’s the complete opposite, I think it’s a very fair thing that everyone gets treated exactly the same regardless of their skin colour, sex or whatever – it’s basic.

“The thing that I never understand with this stuff – and you’ve seen it a bit more with the Black Lives Matter movement – is that people think it just needs time. But why does it need time? A lot of this stuff you could change immediately.

“The people in the decision-making positions could make these changes straight away. A lot of people seem reluctant to make change very fast.”

Murray has long been a champion of equality in tennis and has called out incidents of sexism.

His decision to hire a female coach in Amelie Mauresmo in 2014 was seen as unusual and even drew a disparaging comment from Australian tennis pro Marinko Matosevic who described Murray’s decision as “politically correct”.

Murray later said in an interview with Red Bulletin: “Inequality is something I started to see and became passionate about. It’s opened my mind.

“I’ve actually become very passionate about getting more women in sport, giving women more opportunities.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t thinking about stuff like that. But now I’ve seen it with my own eyes, it’s quite amazing how few female coaches there are across sport.”