KING: SNUB ARENA OVER COURT’S ANTI-GAY RANTS
BILLIE JEAN KING claims she would refuse to appear on the Margaret Court Arena at the Australian Open because of the anti-LGBT bigotry of the player it is named after.
And the American tennis legend said she wants to “encourage” others “to seek out their own heart and mind” before playing on the event’s second show court.
Court (right) holds the all-time record of 24 Grand Slams, including 11 Australian Open titles.
Now a Pentecostal minister, the 75-year-old made a series of discriminatory comments against the LGBT community. Martina Navratilova wants the arena renamed and on being unveiled as Australian Open Woman of the Year on the 50th anniversary of her win there, King agreed. The gay equality activist said: “If I were playing today I wouldn’t play there. It’s really important if you’re going to have your name on anything you’re hospitable, you’re inclusive, you open your arms to everyone that comes. I was fine until lately when she says so many derogatory things about my community.”
Court said “tennis is full of lesbians”, transgender children were the work of “the devil” and a “gay lobby” was trying to “get into the minds of children”.