18-time grand slam champion Martina Navratilova has become the latest person to question the decision to honour Margaret Court at the upcoming Australian Open after her latest series of controversial comments.
Court, who holds the record for most grand slam singles titles won in the sport, has been criticised over a sermon she delivered last weekend to her congregation. The former tennis star was recorded making a series of negative comments about the LGBT community. Including saying that being gay was a choice, young transgender people are ‘so wrong’ and she is unable to express her religious views because the media is controlled by ‘the devil.’
“Children are making the decision at seven or eight years of age to change their sex … no, just read the first two chapters of Genesis, that’s all I say. Male and female,” the 77-year-old said during her sermon.
“It’s so wrong at that age because a lot of things are planted in this thought realm at that age, and they start to question ‘what am I’.
“And you know with that LGBT, they’ll wish they never put the T on the end of it because, particularly in women’s sports, they’re going to have so many problems.
“You have got young people taking hormones and having changes, by the time they are 17 they are thinking, ‘Now I’m a boy and really I was a girl’.
“Because you know what, God made us that way.”
Weighing in on the comments, former world No.1 Navratilova has branded them as ‘pathetic’ in a Twitter post. The tennis icon is a pioneer in the gay sports movement after coming out publicly whilst still playing back in 1981. In one interview, she estimated that she lost roughly $10 million in endorsements during the 1980s due to her sexuality and the aids crisis.
“Margaret hasn’t changed her mind on Gays so she sure won’t change it on Trans either- amazing how strong her homophobia truly is.” Navratilova said.
Court has previously been critical of her former rival on the court. In 1990 she said Navratilova was a bad role model due to homosexuality and her ‘life has gone astray.’ She is an opponent of same-sex marriage and once said its legalisation in Australia was promoting ‘abominable sexual practices.’
The timing of Court’s comments comes as the Australian Open prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of when she won all four grand slams within the same season. The organizers of the grand slam have previously distanced themselves from her beliefs. Saying the upcoming celebration marks her career in the sport. However, Navratilova doesn’t agree.
“We don’t need to change or re- write history when it comes to anyone’s accomplishments but we do not need to celebrate them.” She said.
“Margaret Court is hiding behind her Bible as many have done before her and will do after her. Let’s not keep elevating it.”
The Australian Open will begin on January 20th.
