Murray defends the women
BRITAIN’S world number three Andy Murray has stressed the importance of gender equality in tennis, saying the work ethic required to succeed is the same for both men and women.
Murray, who is seen as the voice of women’s equality within the game for his previous views on various issues, was coached by Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo for two years from 2014.
The Scot, who won seven titles and reached two Australian Open finals with Mauresmo, said he had a better understanding of the struggles women face in the game because of the partnership.
“People often underestimate the amount of work that it takes to become a top tennis player,” Murray said. “And that work ethic is the same whether you are a man or a woman. There are hours spent in the gym, on court, in physio, travelling, analysing matches and opponents, talking with your team, managing your body, and of course, making plenty of sacrifices.
“Anyone who has spent any time with any of the top women will know they make those same sacrifices and are as determined and committed to winning as any of the top men on the tour.”
Murray said he worked with Mauresmo because she was the right person to coach him and not because of her gender, but discovered she wasn’t treated the same as men in similar jobs.
“Since then, I have been asked about women’s equality and I would find it hard to look any of the top female tennis players in the eye if I did not speak my mind,” he said.
Meanwhile, former world number one Karolina Pliskova is confident that splitting with coach David Kotyza will not be a hindrance as she attempts to go it alone over the home stretch of the season, leading up to the WTA Finals in Singapore next month.
Pliskova, who began working with Kotyza last December, won three WTA singles titles this season and reached the French Open semi-finals and US Open quarter-finals, but parted company with the 50-year-old last week after losing the No 1 ranking. The 25-year-old Czech does not plan on hiring a replacement until next season, and will work with her father for the last few tournaments of the year.
“Obviously I need a coach, but it’s not the main thing in my team. I can play good even without a coach,” Pliskova was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency.
Pliskova, who is down to fourth in the rankings after her exit from the US Open, said she was still hopeful of regaining top spot from Spaniard Garbine Muguruza because of how open the women’s tour was this season.