The pressure to remove Margaret Court’s association with the Australian Open is mounting after Martina Navratilova wrote an open letter to condemn her.
Court has been the subject of heavy criticism for a series of anti-gay comments. The debate started when the 24-time grand slam champion stated that she will be boycotting Quantas Airlines for their support of gay marriage. Since then, she has caused further outrage with a series of shocking remarks. In a recent interview with a Christian radio station, Court compared gay rights activists to Naxi leader Adolf Hitler.
“That’s what Hitler did and that what communism did – got the mind of the children.” She told 20Twenty vision.
“We are there to help them (gay people) overcome. We are not against the people.
“They’re human beings and 92 percent, they say in America, have either been abused in some form sexually or emotionally at an early age for them to even be in this way.”
It is not the first time that the 74-year-old has attracted criticism. In fact, throughout her career, she has made similar comments. In 1990 she once condemned Navratilova for being a lesbian, arguing that she ‘was a bad role model.’
In wake of the debate, Navratilova has slammed the former tennis player in an Open letter to the Sydney Morning Herald. Addressing the subject of LGBT rights, the former world No.1 also pointed out Court’s support for the South African apartheid regime in the 1980s. A system where people were divided based on their race.
“It is now clear exactly who Court is: an amazing tennis player, and a racist and a homophobe. Her vitriol is not just an opinion. She is actively trying to keep LGBT people from getting equal rights (note to Court: we are human beings, too). She is demonising trans kids and trans adults everywhere..” Navratilova wrote.
“linking LGBT to Nazis, communists, the devil? This is not OK. This is in fact sick and it is dangerous. Kids will suffer more because of this continuous bashing and stigmatising of our LGBT community.”
How about the Evonne Goolagong Arena ?
Throughout this week’s French Open players have spoken out against Court and called for action to be taken. At the Australian Open, one of the arena’s is named after her, which has prompted calls for it to be removed. World No.1 Andy Murray has requested a quick solution amid the potential for a boycott of the Margaret Court Arena.
“For players to be in a position where you’re in a slam and boycotting playing on the court, that would potentially cause a lot of issues.” He said.
“If the players come to an agreement – if they think the name should be changed or whatever – that should be decided before the event starts.
“But I would imagine a lot of the players would be pretty offended by that.”
Murray is not alone. Australian No.1 Sam Stosur has branded Court’s comments as ‘crazy’ and Garbine Muguruza said ‘she doesn’t give a damn what she says.’
The Australian Open has so far remained reluctant about what they plan to do. On the other hand, Navratilova has already suggested an alternative renaming – the Evonne Goolagong Arena. Goolagong is a seven-time grand slam champion and has won a total of 84 titles in the Open era. A petition on Change.org has attracted almost 5000 signatures in support of the renaming.
