Andy Murray doffs his hat to Naomi Osaka and Marcus Rashford for speaking out to force social change
Andy Murray has praised sports stars, including three-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka and Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford, for using their platforms to speak out against social injustices.
En route to winning the US Open this year, Osaka was vociferous in her support for the Black Lives Matter protests as she wore seven different masks with the names of a shooting victim in the United States during her title-winning run.
Before the tournament she also pulled out of the Western & Southern Open semi-final following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconson.
‘Before I am an athlete, I am a black woman,’ – Naomi Osaka as she quits Cincy over Jacob Blake shooting
Meanwhile, Manchester United star Rashford used social media to get the UK government to extend its free meals programme for children during the school holidays.
In his BBC Sport column, Murray wrote: “It’s great to see people passionate about certain causes, you get to know a different side to their personalities.”
WATCH: Andy Murray and Marcus Rashford discuss tennis, football and their support for women’s sport
He continued: “Some athletes have huge platforms and can help bring about awareness to an issue, which is an important first step before any change can happen.
“In tennis, we saw Naomi Osaka decide she would not play in her Western and Southern Open semi-final in August.
“As an individual athlete you have the opportunity to make that decision not to play yourself. Naomi obviously felt extremely strongly about what had happened.
“It has been great to see her and other athletes playing an important role and speaking out.
“We’ve also seen that with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who I spoke to during the first UK lockdown earlier this year.
“Back when everyone was doing quizzes, we took part in a fun challenge where we both set each other questions on our respective sports. We also talked about his campaigning for free school meal vouchers.
“Marcus is a really nice guy and it is such a great thing that he was able to use his voice to bring about change.
“It’s something he has experienced himself and is very passionate about. They’ve raised millions for families of school children on lower incomes – and that’s amazing.
“Although athletes like Marcus and Naomi are getting the praise they deserve, you still see some people replying to their posts on social media telling them to “stick to sport”.
“That’s unfair. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion.
“Not everyone will agree with what you say, but it shouldn’t stop anyone from having a voice, so long as it isn’t harming or causing pain to anyone else.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Kevin PalmerEXCLUSIVE – Leon Smith reflects on coaching Andy Murray and the role of the inspirational Judy Murray
Leon Smith looks back on his days coaching Andy Murray.
-
Tennis NewsAlexander Zverev goes ‘back to his family roots’ as he leaves Roger Federer’s management firm
Alexander Zverev confirms changes to his team.
-
NewsTennis players’ isolation complaints given short shrift by Victorian Premier
A total of 72 players are unable to leave their rooms.
-
ATP TourKevin Anderson on potential ATP-WTA merger: ‘There have been no real discussions’
No ATP-WTA merger talks underway.
-
Australian Open‘Players upset’ over privileges afforded to Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem
“It’s not apples and apples here, but apples and pears.”
-
-
NewsMore Australian Open players go into isolation taking number up to 72
Forty-seven had already been quarantined.
-
NewsHow Australian Open players are keeping themselves occupied in quarantine
A total of 47 players forced to quarantine.
-
NewsAustralian Open preparations rocked by fourth positive Covid case
A positive test was returned on a charter flight from LA.
-
NewsPlayers were made aware of isolation risks on arrival to Australia – Craig Tiley
Forty seven players to remain in their hotel rooms.