Judy Murray has called for transgender athletes born male to compete only in male sporting categories, citing significant physical differences between the sexes based on her extensive coaching experience.
The tennis coach and mother of Sir Andy and Jamie Murray made her comments in a recent interview with the Herald on Sunday, where she emphasised the importance of maintaining separate sporting categories.
“I’m all for inclusivity in sport, but we’ve always had categories for a reason: to make it fair and to keep it safe,” said Murray, who has previously expressed concerns about transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Murray detailed the physical differences she observed through years of coaching both boys and girls.
Judy Murray has called on male-born athletes to compete in the male categories
Reuters
“When children reach puberty, the boys begin to pull away from the girls hugely because they obviously become bigger, stronger and faster,” she explained.
She noted that boys are typically “more competitive” and “more robust than girls in general.”
The former Federation Cup captain advocated for the return of swab testing to ensure fair competition.
“The advantages that accrue from being born male once puberty is reached is why I absolutely believe in bringing back the swab test. Those who are born male should only compete in male categories,” Murray stated.
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Murray strongly rejected accusations of transphobia while discussing her stance.
“As soon as you speak out about this you get jumped on by some trans activists who will accuse you of being transphobic, which I’m certainly not,” she said.
She welcomed recent comments from Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, who last month defended women’s sport.
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Judy Murray believes the ‘tide is turning’
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Coe had stated: “If you do not protect [the female] category, or you are in any way ambivalent about it for whatever reason, then it will not end well for women’s sport.”
“It does feel to me now as though the tide is turning,” Murray said in response to Coe’s support.
Murray highlighted that younger female athletes often hesitate to speak out on transgender issues.
Judy Murray said that young women are scared to speak out
Reuters
“Younger female athletes, understandably, are very cautious about this because of the social media onslaught that can come with it and how it could affect sponsorship and team funding,” she explained.
She noted that it’s typically the “old guard” who voice their opinions, as they have “gained maturity and don’t have anything to lose any more.”
Murray expressed concern about the state of public discourse on the issue.
“Whatever happened to common sense and sensible debate?” she asked, adding that women now “need to be a very strong personality to withstand the criticism.”
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