Court invited, views rebuked

Tennis Australia will host Margaret Court at the Australian Open to mark the 50th anniversary of her grand slam triumph, but it also issued a fresh rebuke of the former champion’s widelycriticised opposition to homosexuality and gay marriage.

The national body stressed it must ‘‘play a leadership role in supporting an inclusive community’’ by again denouncing Court’s controversial views.

This year, fellow tennis great Rod Laver was feted around the world for the anniversary of his second grand slam in 1969 slam and, with Court’s name adorning one of the main stadiums at Melbourne Park, Tennis Australia was in an awkward position as to how to also recognise her milestone.

Earlier this month, The Age reported exclusively that Court was urging Tennis Australia to ‘‘sit and talk with me’’ ahead of the anniversary season with the Australian tennis great pledging she wouldn’t return to Melbourne Park unless she was formally welcomed back and her career achievement properly recognised.

Tennis Australia has now come to a position where it believes it can celebrate Court’s 1970 grand slam achievement appropriately.

‘‘To mark this historic occasion, Margaret Court, along with her family and friends, has been invited to Australian Open 2020 as a special guest, and to participate in a significant programme of events throughout the tournament,’’ Tennis Australia said.

‘‘Tennis Australia respects Margaret’s unmatched tennis career and welcomes her to the Australian Open, particularly in this milestone anniversary year.

‘‘As often stated, Tennis Australia does not agree with Margaret’s

personal views, which have demeaned and hurt many in our community over a number of years. They do not align with our values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

‘‘Our sport welcomes everyone, no matter what gender, ability, race, religion or sexuality, and we will continue to actively promote inclusion initiatives widely at all levels of the sport.’’

Court confirmed she would attend the Open in January.

‘‘I’m looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of winning the grand slam with my family and friends at the Australian Open,’’ Court said.

‘‘This is an incredible milestone for me, and I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone. It’s always wonderful to catch up with my fellow legends and I’m grateful to Tennis Australia.

‘‘Tennis is a wonderful sport and I’m proud to be part of the history of our great game.’’

However, Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown said Tennis Australia needed to think about the message it was sending out by inviting Court.

‘‘Margaret Court has not apologised for comments where she likened gay people to Hitler and suggested that trans young people were the work of the devil,’’ she said.

‘‘When Court uses her public platform gained through her tennis prowess to insult the LGBTIQ community, it shows that we can’t separate Court the athlete from her harmful views.

‘‘Tennis Australia needs to consider the message this sends to LGBTIQ tennis supporters, particularly younger fans.’’

Aside from the controversy about recognising Court’s anniversary, there have also been numerous calls for Margaret Court Arena – named after the tennis great in 2003 – to be renamed.

Two of women’s tennis greatest players – Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova – have both supported this.

Tennis Australia sent a clear message to Court in publishing the open letter to accompany the announcement that she had accepted the offer to attend the Open.

‘‘As we have often communicated to Margaret, we respect that everyone has a right to an opinion – and a right to express it. Equally, we all share an obligation that while living our lives freely, we do not harm others, and we understand that there are consequences to our words,’’ the letter read.

‘‘I’m looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of winning the grand slam with my family and friends at the Australian Open,’’

Margaret Court, left.