ANDY Murray has been told to “stick to tennis” after slapping down Nigel Farage on Twitter.
Although the Scot was widely praised for his response, he was criticised by right-wing journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer, who claimed the tennis legend’s intervention was “extraordinary”.
Farage also told Murray to "concentrate on the tennis" and "crack a smile every now and again".
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 10, 2022
Yet they should know that Murray never shies away from giving his opinion about political and moral issues.
Here are five times the Dunblane man has proved he shouldn’t just “stick to tennis”.
No-vax Djokovic
Starting with the example that sparked Hartley-Brewer’s angry reaction, Murray set the record straight with Farage.
Eager to seize any opportunity to get himself air time, the former Ukip and Brexit Party leader has joined Novak Djokovic’s family in Belgrade to lobby for his release in Australia after he was detained by the country’s border force.
Djokovic was detained at an immigration facility in Melbourne on Thursday morning after his visa was cancelled following scrutiny of the medical exemption he had secured to travel to the Australian Open. It was announced overnight that the Serb has won an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Declaring his support for the Djokovic clan, Farage posted a video with the tennis star’s brother.
Murray had the perfect response, tweeting: “Please record the awkward moment when you tell them you’ve spent most of your career campaigning to have people from Eastern Europe deported.”
Please record the awkward moment when you tell them you’ve spent most of your career campaigning to have people from Eastern Europe deported.😉 https://t.co/rfFn1hdXlu
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 9, 2022
2014 Independence referendum
Murray’s first major foray into the world of politics came on the day of the 2014 independence referendum.
The Scot, who had remained silent on his intentions throughout the campaign, made his feelings clear with a spontaneous social media post.
He tweeted: “Huge day for Scotland today! no campaign negativity last few days totally swayed my view on it. excited to see the outcome. lets do this!”
Huge day for Scotland today! no campaign negativity last few days totally swayed my view on it. excited to see the outcome. lets do this!
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) September 18, 2014
READ MORE: Seven times Andy Murray made us proud to be Scottish
Following the No side’s victory, Murray was asked if he regretted his post.
But the Scot, who was unable to vote because he lived in England, stood by his remarks.
He told the BBC: “I don’t regret giving an opinion. I think everyone should be allowed that.”
Brexit
The two-time Wimbledon champion has also made his feelings clear on Brexit.
He said in 2019 that leaving the EU had not been “positive” for the UK as he condemned the polarisation of politics following the 2016 referendum.
He told reporters: “Right now everything is unbelievably divisive. There is no middle ground any more.
“You have your view, someone on their other side has another view, and you cannot see a compromise on either side.
“I don’t think that’s a good way to enter into any kind of discussion about anything, certainly not something as important as the future of Britain.”
Indyref2
That discussion brought Murray onto the subject of a second referendum on Scottish independence.
The Dunblane star suggested that the Leave vote had made indyref2 inevitable.
He added: “I’m assuming Scotland, when we leave [the EU], will have a second referendum.”
Feminism
The Scot has also won plaudits for his bold stance on feminism.
He he has spoken publicly about the lack of recognition and respect for female athletes.
On two separate occasions, he has even corrected reporters who have not paid heed to the greats of the women’s game.
During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Murray was congratulated by broadcaster John Inverdale on becoming “the first person ever to win two Olympic tennis gold medals”.
“I think Venus and Serena have won about four each,” the Scot reminded the presenter.
A year later, he corrected another reporter, this time at Wimbledon.
The reporter began his question by saying: “Sam is the first US player to reach a major semi-final since 2009.”
Murray interjected to note that Querrey was the first male US player to reach a major semi-final in eight years, not the first US player. That same year, American player Venus Williams reached the final of the women’s tournament.
Keep up the good work, Andy.
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