Margaret Court at this year's Australian Open.Credit:AP
For some years,her strong personal opinions have attracted the ire of many within the tennis community,and more broadly. Former tennis greats Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova,both on-court opponents of the Australian,have vehemently condemned her views. There have been calls for her name to be stripped from the Margaret Court Arena at the National Tennis Centre.
When the anniversary was coming up,Court was vehement that she would not return to Melbourne Park unless formally welcomed back and her career achievement properly recognised. For Tennis Australia,who actively markets itself as welcoming diversity and equality,the challenge of upholding its principles while giving due credit to Court was far greater than any of the usual logistical feats.
Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley did his best,making it clear to Court that while she would be recognised for her tennis achievements,her personal views on homosexuality were counter to everything the modern tennis game represents. The Herald believes this was the right approach. But for all the pre-tournament negotiations,how it played out was always going to be unknown.
While the issue has provoked some skirmishes on social media – and has been mentioned in some reporting – it has hardly distracted attention away from the actual tennis. And it appears the tennis crowds have been respectful of her while she has been watching on from the stands. Surely this is as it should be.
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It has helped that Court has,in most part,kept her views to herself during her time in Melbourne. In her only public comments,she went on ABC radio in Perth to defend herself:"I think people are trying to take it out on me because of my beliefs ... Wherever I go,I've had so many people touch me on the shoulder and say'Thank you for being my voice'and I've never had anyone touch me on the shoulder and say'I hate you'. I just bring what the Bible says."That is not the voice of a person who is about to change her mind,which is a shame.
The Herald strongly disagrees with Court. Her stance,that homosexuality is a choice,is hurtful to many people and is just plain wrong. After so much debate and considering how quickly same-sex marriage has become a daily occurrence without fanfare,it begs the question why it took so long for politicians to make it happen. It should also highlight to Court how counter to mainstream Australia her views are.