Her presence on court followed a short documentary that was shown at the venue,which featured Court talking about her four wins in the calendar grand slam and a guest appearance from one of her fiercest rivals,Billie Jean King.
“I always loved going away and being the No.1-ranked Australian player. That meant a lot to me,"Court said in the documentary.
“I never looked at it as how famous you were or how well-known you were. With me what you got is what you got."
King said of her fierce sporting rivalry with Court:“That’s what you want,you know,it’s like championship boxing. But I think when you play against somebody that pushes you,that does bring out the best in both players. And I would think probably sometimes she probably bought the best in me as well."
There was one man in the crowd who stayed silent and held up a rainbow flag.
Tennis Australia had been hesitant to release too many details about the nature and timing of the recognition for fear of protests or any crowd dissidence. They were also careful to say the ceremony was a"recognition"and not a"celebration"of Court,given her long-held views on homosexuality and transgender people.