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SERVING UP CHANGE: TENNIS STARS CHAMPIONING SOCIAL JUSTICE


Elina Svitolina continues to be an advocate for Ukraine as it continues to suffer from war. (Credit: Getty Images/Quinn Rooney)
Elina Svitolina continues to be an advocate for Ukraine as it continues to suffer from war. (Credit: Getty Images/Quinn Rooney)

Tennis players are more commonly using their platforms to speak out for social change.


Over the past 15 years, added attention has been given to a plethora of world issues.

Athletes from several sports have used their platforms to speak out.


But tennis stars have been some of the most vocal, with former World No.3 Elina Svitolina a recent example.


The Ukrainian star has been outspoken about support efforts in her home nation as the conflict with Russia remains ongoing.


She also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through initiatives completed by her foundation.


"As a tennis player, I have different kinds of opportunities," Svitolina said last year.


"I try to use my platform to raise money and to help people as much as I can from my side."


Svitolina remains as outspoken as ever and will continue to advocate for what she believes in.



Japanese star Naomi Osaka has pushed for more mental health awareness within sports.


In 2021, she made headlines around the world after withdrawing from the French Open, following a decision to skip mandatory post-match press conferences.


Osaka made the decision after claiming they can too often be damaging to the mental health of tennis players.


The two-time Australian Open Champion was among the first to speak publicly about the once-not-talked-about topic.


"I think most people don't know that mental health is as important as your physical health, and in some ways, it might be more important," she told PEOPLE magazine last October.


In previous generations, athletes were just expected to endure abuse and criticism because it 'came with the job'.


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But recent efforts have helped change the narrative of mental health awareness in sport.


Former World No.1 Andy Murray has also been a strong advocate of a social cause: women’s equality, speaking up in favour of women in sport as a whole.


"Have I become a feminist?" Murray once asked a journalist.


"Well, if being a feminist is about fighting so that a woman is treated like a man, then yes, I suppose I have."


The British legend also wrote an article for the BBC last year, trying to promote women’s tennis specifically.


In the piece, he referenced his decision to hire Amélie Mauresmo as his coach back in 2014.


It was viewed as a controversial move by some, purely because she wasn’t a male. However, Murray didn’t care.


"Working with Amélie was, for me, because she was the right person for the job and not a question of her sex at all," he stated.


"However, it became clear to me that she wasn't always treated the same as men in similar jobs, and so I felt I had to speak out about that."


Players are more frequently speaking out publicly about issues close to their hearts.


It seems that the calls will become even more common in future, which is great news for wider society.


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