"Don't think that tennis has anything in common with their values" - Andy Murray also for renaming the Margaret Court Arena
Andy Murray , another prominent name in tennis, is now in favor of renaming the Margaret Court Arena . The Australian has been repeatedly criticized in recent years for her enormously questionable statements, including against the LGBT movement.
by SID / tennisnet
last edit: Sep 17, 2020, 08:54 am
The three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray, another prominent tennis professional, has spoken out in favor of renaming the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne. "I don't think tennis has anything in common with the values of Margaret Court," said the former world number one from Scotland: "She has attacked and angry a lot of people in recent years. Looking at the arena, I think that a name change should be considered. "
The Australian Grand Slam record winner Court (24 titles), now pastor of an evangelical congregation in Perth, Western Australia, has caused a sensation in recent years with hate speech against the LGBT movement (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender). The 78-year-old also praised the former apartheid system in South Africa.
McEnroe and Navratilova also go on a confrontational course
Martina Navratilova then described Court as a homophobic racist. John McEnroe accused Court of "wanting to transport us to the deepest Middle Ages". Both are also among those calling for a name change for the arena at the Australian Open. The same point of view is also taken by Billie Jean King, who already emphasized in 2018: "If something bears your name, you have to be open and want to receive everyone. It struck me deeply, the derogatory things she said to my community. I believe, the arena should no longer bear her name. "
At the beginning of the year, discussions about Margaret Court were already loud . At the Australian Open, the record Grand Slam winner was welcomed on the occasion of her 50th Grand Slam anniversary, but she was not celebrated, as Tennis Australia emphasized at the time. "Tennis Australia respects Margaret's unmatched tennis career and welcomes her to the Australian Open, especially in this milestone year. As has often been said, Tennis Australia does not agree with Margaret's personal views. They do not fit our values of equality, diversity and inclusion. Our sport welcomes everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexuality. "