WIMBLEDON is here again. Most people associate it with sunshine, strawberries and cream, as well as some exciting on-court tennis. However, there is one other particularly strong association that comes through – and that is powerful women.
Just last week alone we have had Johanna Konta responding to a condescending reporter who advised that she should “look at herself a little bit now” following her Wimbledon quarter-final defeat by Barbora Strycova – patronising or what!
Then we had an astonishingly frank interview from Serena Williams for a top magazine, where she insisted the photographs should not be enhanced in any way – and they were breath-taking. She spoke about the controversy that surrounded her last year when she challenged a judging decision in her game against 20-year-old Naomi Osaka, and how the press labelled her emotional, difficult, etc. It is perhaps a little-known fact that afterwards she received a letter from Osaka telling her to continue “trailblazing” for other women.
Serena put together some lovely words to finish the interview, referring to her daughter: "Love breathes life and newfound perspective into people. It’s not about quitting when someone presents a challenge; it’s about getting up when you are down, dusting yourself off and asking, ‘Is that the best you got?’”
READ MORE: Judy Murray has perfect reply to astonishing Serena Williams poll
In Scotland we are extremely fortunate to have our own tennis superstar, and I am not talking of Andy or Jamie Murray, but of their mother, Judy Murray. Judy stands up all the time for gender equality. She may not come across with the same aggression, but there is no doubt that when she speaks, people listen. The fact that she has raised two sons who are the perfect “male allies” for all women in sport, long before it became fashionable, is testament to the women.
Judy is a rare breed, happy going without make-up in tracksuit and trainers and to be photographed as she is gracing the Royal Box in all her finery at Wimbledon. Working with the British media and appearing on chat shows and quiz shows while retaining her passion of travelling far and wide introducing tennis to the masses. Some people may have taken their time to warm to Judy through some initial difficult press coverage, but she is definitely a sporting national treasure. We are lucky to have the Murray family as part of our sporting heritage.
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