Judy Murray latest to be accused of sportswashing with role in Diriyah Tennis Cup

Judy Murray is the latest person to be accused of sports washing as she elected to participate in the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Murray opted to take part in the event as a coach in an effort to inspire more girls to take up the sport of tennis. She's been an outspoken advocate for more women in sports however many perceived her decision to participate in the event as hypocritical due to the country's poor human rights record, particularly towards women.

Murray herself said in a statement:

“I am particularly keen to ensure girls and women are given an equal opportunity to enjoy and experience tennis, whether for fun, for fitness or for friendship. Tennis enables all of that and while it is a global sport that has produced some of the greatest sportspeople of our time, it is also, at the same time, a community where everyone can connect.

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That is the message I have relayed throughout my time as a coach and as a champion for workforce development: we need to remove barriers to participation but also to ensure we can sustain growth in participation and ensure that the community can unite to showcase how special tennis can be, regardless of age, gender or ability.”

Amnesty Internationa was quite clear in their callout saying:

"We encourage Judy Murray, as we would other attendees at the Diriyah Tennis Cup, to use the opportunity to speak out and show solidarity with those who are being persecuted in Saudi Arabia’s relentless crackdown on human rights.”

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