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One of the Trailblazers in Women’s Tennis, Serena Williams’ Former Coach Pays Heed to Andy Murray’s Crude Take On Coaching – ‘Players Don’t Take the Leap’

Published 07/30/2023, 11:35 AM EDT

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Andy Murray shines as a symbol of greatness in the world of tennis. With three Grand Slam victories and two Olympic gold medals under his belt, the British player’s legacy is etched in history. Beyond his remarkable achievements on the court, Sir Andy Murray has been a resolute advocate for gender equality. In a recent interview, he expressed his dismay at a troubling trend prevalent in both men’s and women’s tennis, the scarcity of female coaches.

Rennae Stubbs, the esteemed former coach of Serena Williams, discussed Murray’s concerns on Twitter sharing her views regarding the concern. But why is the number of female tennis coaches so low?

Andy Murray calls for a change

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Andy Murray recently emphasized the pressing need for more female coaches on the professional tennis circuit. He expressed his surprise, particularly on the women’s tour, at the shortage of female coaches and called for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to initiate measures to address the issue. “It’s really important. It’s something I’ve found surprising on both tours, particularly on the women’s tour. How few female coaches there are? It’s time WTA had an initiative to help… it’s something that needs to change,” remarked the tennis icon.

“It’s hard when the actual players don’t take the leap to hire great FEMALE coaches,” said Rennae Stubbs in a series of threads to address the concerns while approving of  Murray’s words.

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Rennae Stubbs, in response, lauded Murray’s commitment to equality while highlighting that players and agents also play a crucial role in promoting diversity in coaching.

Also read: ‘My Parents Had Never Seen Me..’- American Tennis Legend Pete Sampras Harks Back to Wife’s Benevolent Gesture to Make Him Feel Extra Special at Wimbledon

As the tennis world unites to address the issue of gender equality in coaching, voices like Andy Murray, Rennae Stubbs, and Billie Jean King are vital catalysts for change. Breaking down barriers and expanding opportunities for female coaches will not only elevate the sport but also set a powerful example for society.

Billie Jean King shares her opinion after only 5% female coaches present at Wimbledon

The effect of the dearth of female coaches was evident at Wimbledon, where only around 5% of 128 female players competing had female coaches. This alarming statistic has garnered criticism from tennis legend Billie Jean King, who pointed out that representation matters in shaping perceptions.

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“It’s about society, absolutely. You have to see it to be it. So if you don’t see a woman up there as a coach, it doesn’t even cross your brain. How do we get the top players to hire them? We’ve got to solve the problem,” said King.

The underrepresentation of female coaches in tennis highlights the persistent gender disparity in the sport. To foster true equality, the tennis community must take active steps to encourage and empower women to pursue coaching careers. Tennis authorities, players, and agents all have important roles to play in challenging the status quo and breaking down barriers that hinder the progress of female coaches.

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Embracing diversity and inclusion in coaching will inspire future generations and foster a tennis world where talent and skill know no gender bounds. It is time for a transformative change that ensures every aspiring coach, regardless of gender, is given equal opportunities to excel and make their mark on the court.

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Written by:

Akshat Gaur

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Akshat Gaur is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in 2021 and has been writing since then. With over two years of experience in the world of sports journalism, specifically tennis journalism, Akshat is someone who is immensely passionate about covering the ATP and the WTA Tour.
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Edited by:

Nidhi