A champion of women’s game and young Brits

FROM Jo Konta’s perspective, Andy Murray has been the top male player who, above all others, stood up for the women’s side of the game. To Kyle Edmund he has been the down-to-earth team-mate who has always gone out of his way to help and promote his development. Konta said the whole women’s locker room was grateful for the way that Murray, who made the ground-breaking move of employing Amelie Mauresmo as his coach, has championed equality in sport. Murray has described himself as a feminist and believes that men and women should be paid the same when they compete at the same tournaments. ‘There have been so many examples of when he has stood up for us, not just for women’s tennis but women in general,’ said the British female No 1. ‘I think everybody has been very appreciative of how he has stood up for the women’s game.’ That was echoed by American tennis legend Billie Jean King, a fellow campaigner for equality. ‘You are a champion on and off the court,’ King, 75, posted on Twitter. ‘So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations.’ Murray has also gone out of his way to support young British players and once fought his way through the crowds at Roland Garros to cheer on Edmund, who was trying to win his first five-set match at the French Open against home player Stephane Robert. ‘He’s been my biggest role model out of any player,’ said Edmund. ‘He’s Britain’s greatest player ever and maybe Britain’s best sportsman.’ Davis Cup team-mate Dan Evans said: ‘He’s as down to earth as anyone I know who’s a high-profile sportsman, he has always been generous to me.’ Evans and Harriet Dart came through qualifying yesterday to take the British contingent to eight in the Australian Open singles.