Tennis legend Billie Jean King has urged organisers of the Australian Open to rename the Margaret Court Arena following comments made by the former player about the LGBT community.
Court, who will not be attending the event this year, has been under fire for a series of remarks made by her in recent months. In 2017 she told a Christian radio station that the women’s tour was ‘full of lesbians’ and singled out player Casey Dellacqua in a newspaper letter. Dellacqua, who is in a same-sex relationship and has a child, came under fire from the 24-time grand slam champion. Who said that it was wrong for a the couple to ‘deprive the child of having a father.’ In another controversial statement, Court has boycotted Qantas airlines over their support for same sex marriage, which was legalised in Australia at the end of last year.
WTA founder King has declared her opposition to one of the premier stadiums at the Australian Open to be named after Court. Speaking to reporters on Friday, the 74-year-old said that she can no longer support Court’s accolade in the wake of her views.
“I was a proponent of her’s, trying to get her to the best possible court,” King said.
“She won 64 grand slams. She won more than everybody else.
“When Rocket, Rod Laver, got given the arena, I said ‘what are you going to do for Margaret?’.
“But I think it’s its really important, if you’re going to have your name on anything, that you’re hospitable, inclusive, you’re opening arms to everyone that comes to a public facility.”
The past year is not the first time that Court, who is now a Christian pastor, has made negative comments about gay players. In 1990 she said that Martina Navratilova was a ‘bad role model’ for the sport because she was open about her sexuality.
It appears that Court’s latest comments is the final straw for King. Who stated that if she was still playing on the court, both her and Navratilova would refuse to play on the Margaret Court Arena.
“I was fine until lately she said so many derogatory things about my community. I’m a gay woman; about the LGBTIQ community,” she said.
“That really went deep in my heart and soul.
“I don’t think she should have her name (on it) any more.”
Double standards?
There has been no comment from the Australian Open about renaming the stadium. Tournament director Craig Tiley has previously spoken with Court, who defended her right to speak her mind. It is unclear as to what the two said during their conversation.
“Our position hasn’t changed,” Tiley told reporters.
“Margaret’s views are her views … (A name change) is up to a broader group of people and not up to one person or organization.”
The reluctance of the Australian Open to take action has divided opinion. Court remains her country’s greatest ever tennis player and has won more grand slam singles titles than anybody else. On the other hand, King has questioned if action would have been taken if she had insulted other groups of minorities.
“If you were talking about indigenous people, Jews or any other people, I can’t imagine the public would want to have her name on something.” She said.
“Maybe it’s our community, the LGBTIQ community -people might feel differently.”
King is currently in Australia to mark the 50th anniversary of when she won the Melbourne title.
