Autographs. The obsession with getting a famous personality’s signature has always baffled me. I have had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in tennis—Pat Cash, Mark Philippoussis, Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Garbiñe Muguruza, and Agnieszka Radwańska—spending two weeks in close proximity to these legends a decade ago. Yet, I never once asked for an autograph. When you see them beyond the court, as real people navigating a sea of overzealous fans, you realize that the value of a scribbled signature pales in comparison to treating them with dignity and respect.
Having witnessed firsthand the sheer torture these stars go through just trying to navigate public spaces, I can vouch for how overwhelming it can get. A simple walk from the locker room to the car turns into a gauntlet of selfie requests, autograph hunters, and personal space violations. I still recollect how Venus once had to push an elderly Indian uncle aside and say, “Not so close, sir” in Pune.
Let’s talk about autographs for a second. I have never quite understood the appeal of a scribbled line on a piece of paper. Maybe, just maybe, celebrities should pre-sign hundreds of cards, distribute them freely, and eliminate the madness. Imagine if this abundant supply of pre-signed memorabilia took the desperation out of the chase—perhaps fans would start valuing the person more than the ink they leave behind.
On a more serious note, the recent Emma Raducanu incident reiterates why we need to be more aware of the fine line between fandom and invasion of privacy. Before a stand-up comedy performance, I prefer not talking to anyone because I feel the pressure. Now, amplify that a thousand times for an elite athlete moments before a high-stakes match, only to have fans pushing boundaries with cameras in their faces and personal space disregarded.
The fact that female athletes have to navigate this additional layer of stress, on top of the already immense pressure of competing at the highest level, is unacceptable. It’s a testament to their resilience that players like Raducanu continue to show up, compete, and still manage to smile for the cameras when all they probably want is a moment of peace.
Empathy is not a difficult concept. These athletes give us breathtaking moments of sporting excellence; the least we can do is respect their humanity. As much as we celebrate their greatness, let’s also be advocates for their right to personal space and safety. The next time we see a player off the court, instead of shoving a phone in their face, maybe a simple nod of appreciation from a respectful distance would mean so much more.
PS: This pic with Venus was taken when we were having dinner quietly the day she was leaving India, and after having chatted with her about fan madness, she said, “Let’s take a pic” when another team member asked for a picture with her. Certainly not at a point where I was invading her private space before/ during a match.
This post was originally posted on LinkedIn on 24th Feb, 2025.
