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Murray, Clarke and more kneel at Battle of the Brits

By Jordaan Sanford

From the United States to the United Kingdom and beyond, people are taking a stand against injustice and racial discrimination. On Tuesday in Roehampton, Andy Murray returned to competitive tennis, but before taking the court against Liam Broady, the players made a moving gesture together.

The three-time major champion kneeled alongside Broady and the chair umpire before the start of the match in solidarity for the Black Lives Movement.

"In some ways it’s seen as being radical," Murray said in an interview with BBC. "I feel like it’s the complete opposite, I think it’s a very fair thing that everyone gets treated exactly the same regardless of their skin color, sex or whatever. It’s basic."

In his first match since November, Murray would go on to win handily, 6-2, 6-2.

A. Murray vs. L. Broady: Battle of the Brits

Prior to all of the Battle of the Brit matches taking place at the National Tennis Centre, players took a knee together.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: The players and the umpire take a knee, in solidarity with the BLM movement, ahead of the doubles match between James Ward & Kyle Edmund and Jay Clarke & Dominic Inglot on day one of Schroders Battle of the Brits at the National Tennis Centre on June 23, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Battle Of The Brits)
© Getty Images for Battle Of The B

“The thing that I never understand with this stuff, and you’ve seen it a bit more with the Black Lives Matter movement, is that people think it just needs time," Murray said. "But why does it need time? A lot of this stuff you could change immediately."

Dan Evans joined event organizer Jamie Murray, Kyle Edmund, Neal Skupski and other competitors in the meaningful gesture. Evans didn't seem to be rusty at all and found his rhythm quickly against Jay Clarke, winning 6-3 6-1.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: Dan Evans takes a knee, in solidarity with the BLM movement, prior to his match against Jay Clarke on day 1 of Schroders Battle of the Brits at the National Tennis Centre on June 23, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Battle Of The Brits)
© Getty Images for Battle Of The B

Clarke has been vocal on social media about the harsh realities that black people have to deal with. The 21-year-old has been finding his place on the ATP Tour. He reached the semifinals at an ATP Challenger event in Burnie earlier this year before the tours were shutdown.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: Jay Clarke and umpire James Keothavong take a knee, in solidarity with the BLM movement, prior to his match against Dan Evans on day 1 of Schroders Battle of the Brits at the National Tennis Centre on June 23, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Battle Of The Brits)
© Getty Images for Battle Of The B

Kneeling ahead of competitive play was first started by NFL star Colin Kaepernick four years ago. It was seen as radical and controversial, but as the world continues to learn, grow and change, kneeling may be seen more often, and in a much better light.