More needs to be done to protect sportswomen from the abuse of power from coaches and other key figures in their professional life, Judy Murray has said. While the tennis coach, and mother of Wimbledon stars Andy and Jamie Murray, welcomed measures taken within the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) – which recently appointed a director of safeguarding in an increased effort to protect professional athletes from predatory coaches – she said further action is needed in the industry as a whole. “I think it’s up to all of the individual governing bodies to have someone in that head of safeguarding role that, whether you’re a coach, a parent, a player or in sports science, when you see something or if something happens to you, you know that that’s the group you go to, that’s the person you speak to, it will be treated in confidence but there will be action taken from it,” Murray told PA Media. “I think we’ve all seen a lot of brushing under the carpet over the years. And often you don’t know who to go to, and even if you do go to someone, you’re concerned: ‘Is it going to affect my selection for the team or my funding?’” The former Scottish No 1 player and long-time coach, 63, was speaking while promoting her debut novel, The Wild Card. The book centres on a fictional professional tennis player, who is manipulated by her coach during her earlier career as a 17-year-old into a sexual relationship, fearing that he will ditch her if she doesn’t comply. “For me, having been round the women’s tour, it’s a very male-dominated domain in terms of the coaches and you realise that the young players in particular, they’re travelling all the time, they’re away from home, the coach becomes a crutch, not just a coach. You actually assume a parent role, a friend role,” Murray added. “It’s very easy for players to become dependent on coaches, and fall into something that they don’t really understand and feel they can’t get out of.” She said she welcomed the wider awareness created by athletes who have come forward about their own experiences, citing the case of multiple Olympic gold medal-winning US gymnast Simone Biles, one of many women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar (who was subsequently jailed for 40-plus years). “Over the last few years, we’ve seen examples in several sports of players/performers telling about what’s happened to them in terms of abuse of trust and abuse of power, none more so than Simone Biles and other gymnasts with the US doctor, which went on for years,” said Murray. “It [the US gymnasts’ case] encouraged more people to speak out, and highlights the need for ensuring that those in positions of power within sport are suitably qualified, vetted and insured, and also that somebody is accountable to somebody else. “It makes such a big impact when top athletes like Simone Biles speak out about what’s happened to them,” Murray continued. “And it gives confidence to others to come out and talk and to share, and it is about raising awareness. “But at the end of the day, you can raise awareness, but you need somebody to act on that. And that is starting to happen, but it’s probably still in its relative infancy.” The Wild Card by Judy Murray is published by Orion, priced £14.99. Available now. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Nearly half UK adults believe LGBTQ+ representation important in storytelling – study What to wear to Glastonbury this year 11 ways to work white into your interiors

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Emily Blunt has explained why her children don’t really think that it’s “exciting” to have a famous mother. During a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the 40-year-old actor shared her candid thoughts about her life in the spotlight while raising two daughters – Hazel, nine, and Violet, seven – with husband John Krasinski. She noted that, as she has looked back on her career thus far, she doesn’t like to think about her celebrity status. “When I see myself up on a billboard, I have this complete dissociation with it...I’m like, who’s that?” Blunt said. “And I can see my children doing the same.” The Edge of Tomorrow star went on to explain why her daughters aren’t too impressed by their mother’s fame. “They might say, ‘Oh, there’s Mama,’ but it’s not exciting for them,” she said. “What’s exciting for them is when I can pick them up from school and take them swimming.” Blunt proceeded to open up about her family and how spending time with her daughters is a huge priority. She also noted that she tries not to be away from them for too long while working. “Because even though they’re hardy, and they’re used to this strange life, it’s still rough on them when I have to go away,” she continued. The actor then pointed out that there are certain points in her children’s daily routine that she doesn’t want to miss out on. “There are cornerstones of the girls’ day that I don’t want to compromise on – like, will you wake me up, take me to school, pick me up and put me to bed?” she said. “And I just want to be able to say, yes, yes, yes. It’s such an exhale for me to be able to do that.” Over the years, Blunt has shared her children’s thoughts about her career. During an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2021, the Quiet Place star said that while her daughters haven’t been interested in watching her movies in the past, there’s one film she’s done that they really enjoyed: Jungle Cruise. “They are usually disinterested in seeing me on screen, but they’re really into Jungle Cruise,” she said. “They love the jaguar. They love DJ [Dwayne Johnson]. They love the dynamic. They love the whole world.” Meanwhile, John Kraskinski – who’s been married to Blunt since 2010 – has also said that their children ended up loving one of his movies: DC League of Super-Pets. “They were laughing very, very hard,” Krasinski explained during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in July 2022. “I think up until now they didn’t actually believe I was in the business, because they’ve never seen anything I’ve done.” Read More Fans gush over Emily Blunt and John Krasinski’s flirty whispers at the SAG Awards: ‘Couple goals’ From their first date to parents of two: A timeline of Emily Blunt and John Krasinski’s relationship John Krasinski reveals he ‘wouldn’t be anywhere’ without wife Emily Blunt Jamie Foxx’s rep addresses conspiracy Covid vaccine left actor ‘paralyzed and blind’ Gamer finds indent in head from prolonged headset use after shaving his hair How to stay safe from wildfire smoke

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