Former world number one Andy Murray has urged that there is a greater level of “trust and respect” between media and players and suggested the media give Emma Raducanu some space.
Media scrutiny has proven a breaking point for several players down the years, with Naomi Osaka’s French Open walkout in 2021 sparked by a disagreement over press requirements.
In addition, since her US Open triumph, Emma Raducanu has been thrust into the spotlight of the media.
In particular she has faced increased scrutiny over her performances as well as her coaching decisions off the court.
Raducanu is also among several high profile teenage stars in the women’s game alongside the likes of French Open finalist Coco Guaff and Czech sensation Linda Fruhvirtova, who are all exposed to significant media attention.
Discussing the impact of which media scrutiny can have on up and coming players, Andy Murray claims it can be stifling as he reflected on his own experiences when he was a teen and issued a media plea to have a greater respect for players.
He told reporters in a recent interview, “I think there needs to be a level of trust and respect between the player and the media.
“I also had problems early in my career where maybe certain things that I said got taken out of context or jokes that I might have made turned into big stories and big headlines where it turned things a bit sour and negative.”
Murray continued saying that just because a teenager is a prominent sports person it does not mean that they are more mature than anyone else their age.
“There’s a few people in this room I’m sure when they were 18, 19, made some mistakes and did some things they shouldn’t have done and said some things they definitely shouldn’t have said, and athletes are the same.”
The Scot also then referenced Emma Raducanu, stating that the media should judge less and this “would help” the British starlet.
“We will make mistakes and say the wrong thing at times but just maybe don’t judge us too harshly when we do that and I’m sure that would help Emma a little bit.”
“Just let her be who she is, and you know, she might say some things that are a joke or that she maybe doesn’t mean or whatever.”
Raducanu is among several high profile teenage stars in the women’s game alongside the likes of French Open finalist Coco Guaff and Czech sensation Linda Fruhvirtova.
Media scrutiny has proven a breaking point for several players down the years, with Naomi Osaka’s French Open walkout in 2021 sparked by a disagreement over press requirements.
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