MAC AND MARTINA RAPPED FOR COURT PROTEST
AUSTRALIAN OPEN organisers have issued a stinging rebuke to John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova after they demonstrated against Margaret Court and her controversial views. The two legends were asked to stop their protest by Tennis Australia (TA) after unfurling a banner calling for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed in honour of Court’s fellow Aussie legend Evonne Goolagong. The governing body were swift to remind the former champions that they had breached protocol as invitees and broadcasters. After her veterans doubles match yesterday, Navratilova took to the umpires’ chair to address an admittedly tiny crowd on the issue, only to have the TV feed cut off. ‘I’ve been speaking out about an issue for a while now and John McEnroe is here to join me and push the conversation forward,’ she said before the transmission ended on the orders of TA. She was then joined by McEnroe to unfurl a banner saying ‘Evonne Goolagong Arena’. Navratilova objects to Court having a stadium named after her, due to the 77-year-old’s homophobic opinions, and wants it to be named after the former Australian star of Aboriginal heritage. A spokesperson for TA said: ‘The Australian Open has regulations and protocols with respect to how any fan, player or guest can use our facility, the event and the global stage it provides. Two high-profile guests have breached these protocols and we are working through this with them.’ After a low-key presentation on Monday night to mark the 50th anniversary of her winning all four majors, Court was back watching the tennis yesterday on nearby Rod Laver Arena.