Andy Murray won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics, becoming the first man to win back-to-back Olympic golds in men’s tennis. At the post-match interview, BBC reporter John Inverdale asked the Scot: “You’re the first person ever to win two Olympic tennis gold medals. That’s an extraordinary feat, isn’t it?”
Murray was quick to point out Inverdale’s gaffe, reminding the reporter that both Venus and Serena Williams have 4 Olympic gold medals each.
Murray said: “Well, to defend the singles title … I think Venus and Serena [Williams] have won about four each but hadn’t defended a singles title before.”
The Scot had earlier this year mentioned that he had become a feminist after he saw the “criticism and prejudice” his former coach Amelie Mauresmo faced for his defeats.
“The staggering thing was that she was slated every time I lost, which is something my former coaches never, ever experienced. It wasn’t right.”
“I got off to a bad start last season and things have only got better since Amélie arrived. I was ranked 11th in September 2014, I’m now ranked third – it speaks for itself. They say I was plucky choosing Amélie but, truth be told, if anyone was plucky it was Amélie – she’s the one who’s taken the heat. Her competence was always under fire. I felt embarrassed.”
“Have I become a feminist? Well, if being a feminist is about fighting so that a woman is treated like a man then yes, I suppose I have.”
“My upbringing means that I’m quite attuned to the whole thing. I came to tennis thanks to my mother. I always had a very close relationship with my grandmothers.”
For his comment, Murray won a lot of praise on social media, including from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: