American Doubles Veteran Urges WTA to Implement Stringent Rules on Relationship Between Women Players and Coaches – ‘Can’t Happen..’

The former American tennis player, Pam Shriver has often used her platform to address various issues concerning female athletes. The 60-year-old doubles legend has slammed the tennis authorities for not restricting older male coaches “from sleeping” with women players. Shriver has previously opened up about her own story of a “long and inappropriate affair” with former coach Don Candy.

She was just 17 when she started a relationship with her then-50-year-old coach. While revealing the story of her affair, Shriver also criticized the WTA authorities for not protecting their players on a personal level. Now once again, Shriver, who is currently a tennis coach and pundit, has slammed them for not improving much since.

Pam Shriver has criticized tennis authorities for not protecting their players

The former tennis player wants the sport to address older male coaches “sleeping” with women players as an important issue. Pam Shriver regards it as important as cleansing tennis of certain banned drugs. The American doubles legend has urged all the tennis authorities to have layers of protection for their players throughout their  professional career.

She opened up about the same during an interview with Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.  Talking about her own story, Shriver stated, “Having seen so many generations of women players struggle with the same thing”.

She added, “There has been such an acceptance that this happens. That has to switch to ‘no, it can’t happen’.”

The 60 years old tennis broadcaster and pundit’s latest remarks came out months after sexual assault accusations were made by the WTA French player, Fiona Ferro. In a social media post, she accused her former coach, Pierre Bouteyre.

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Shriver said that her “long and inappropriate affair” had a huge impact on her journey. She also condemned the sports authorities by saying that they should have never allowed her married coach to have an affair with her. In saying that, the American coach said that she believes her story will help the current generation of players to protect themselves from any form of sexual harassment.

Other female players have also talked about the same

The Belarusian tennis player, Victoria Azarenka has also used her platform to address the issue of the exploitation of young female players by their old male coaches. In the previous season’s US Open, the former world No. 1 player urged the WTA player council to consider protecting young female athletes from falling into such a trap.

Azarenka also applauded Ferro for being brave enough to speak out about her ordeal. Just like Shriver, the Belarusian also thinks of it as an issue that will plague women’s tennis.

Do you also think it should be restricted by the tennis authorities? Let us know in the comments section.

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