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The Cameras Are Everywhere: Sportspeople can't hide



Social media can be harsh and merciless.

Today it was announced that three-time Grand Slam winner, Andy Murray, plans to retire from tennis earlier than originally planned, due to struggling to recover from a hip injury. The tennis star broke down in front of cameras at a press conference ahead of this year's upcoming Australian Open.

Andy Murray broke down during a pre Australian Open press conference.
Andy Murray broke down during a press conference ahead of the 2019 Australian Open (Source: AAP) 

 Despite Murray coming across as quite a private person (as discussed in a previous blog post), his life today has become plastered over social media and TV broadcast. I didn't even have to look far to see is face spread no less than four times on BBC Sport's homepage earlier today.


Today's BBC Sport homepage (Source: BBC Sport)

 It has always been a challenge for those in the private eye to remove themselves in a time of difficulty: We as the public are too nosy, and those of us also in the media industry push to satisfy this inquisitory demand. However in recent years, with developments in the media taking hold, this challenge has become ever harder to combat.

  From Tiger Woods affair, to each and every footballer's current relationship status, we want to know the gossip that goes on behind the closed doors of the sports stars. It's a harsh reality, and the volume of press coverage which Andy has seen in just a mere few hours is a perfect example of this.

Can't keep away...

 After his emotional press conference interview, Murray was then roped into filming a "one on one" interview for Australian Open TV. It's very likely, due to his commitments as a competitor in the tournament that he was contractually obliged to participate in these interviews and news features, nevertheless as the below video shows, it doesn't make the raw emotion and heartbreak any easier...


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