It is not often that we get the same answer for two questions with completely different contexts. But, if we were to ask readers the following questions, we will get the same answers:
Who is the Queen of Tennis with the most single grand slam titles?
Who is the Queen of Controversy amongst retired players?
Tennis icon Margaret Court is the name that pops up here. Court, who hails from Australia, won 24 Grand Slams in her career, which is the most amongst both men and women. Court has had quite a controversial year or two after she first engulfed news with her ancient views on same sex marriage. Gay marriage was legalized within Australia back in 2017, but Court disagreed with the plebiscite, stating that the Bible forbids all such marriages, which is why we should stay safe.
The 77 year old was soon hounded by fans all over Australia, who are still demanding that the court in Melbourne Park, named after her, be changed.
Now, Margaret Court has questioned the equality of Tennis Australia by calling out the administration for not showing her the same level of respect that they showed to Rod Laver while celebrating his 50th Grand Slam anniversary recently. Court, who won all 4 Grand Slam titles for the year 1970, believes that she should be honored in a similar manner as well.
“I think Tennis Australia should sit and talk with me,” Court said while speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. “They have never phoned me. Nobody has spoken to me directly about it. I think they would rather not confront it.”
“They brought Rod in from America. If they think I’m just going to turn up, I don’t think that is right. I think I should be invited. I would hope they would pay my way to come like they paid for his, and honor me. If they are not going to do that, I don’t really want to come,” she further added.
When asked about how her words about gay marriages might have impacted her legacy, Court asserted that the both had no correlation. Court maintained that her believes on homosexuals should not be allowed to tarnish or damage her legacy.
“I don’t feel any of that should be brought into my tennis career,” Court mentioned. “It was a different phase of my life from where I am now and if we are not big enough as a nation and a game to face those challenges there is something wrong.”
Many newsreader and anchors have weighed in on this situation and have clarified their perspective.
Tom Steinfort, the newsreader on Channel 9 started the discussion on this topic during his early morning show. “If they (TA) want to lead here, no one has handled this issue better than Peter V’landys when he was asked about Israel Folau the other day,” Steinfort mentioned. “He said on that the game is inclusive, and Israel’s comments aren’t inclusive.”