Australian Open: Tennis icon King calls for renaming of Margaret Court Arena

The American tennis icon Billie Jean King has joined forces with demands to rename the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on the basis of homophobic remarks made by her namesake.

“If something bears your name, you have to be open-minded and want to receive everyone,”said the 74-year-old on Friday at a ceremony in Melbourne.

“I was deeply struck by what she said about the demeaning things she said to my community,” said the twelve-time Grand Slam winner, who openly and aggressively professes her homosexuality:”I don’t think the arena should bear her name any more.

Last summer, Court said on a Christian radio show:”Tennis is full of lesbians. We’re here to help them. Transgender children described the 24-time Grand Slam winner as the Devil’s Work.

In addition to King, other big names such as Martina Navratilova had already called for the Arena to be renamed after the scandal. In addition, based on the statements of 75-year-old Australian Margaret Smith Court, it had been discussed in professional circles whether to boycott the same name arena at the tournament starting on Monday.

King also said she didn’t show up under the circumstances. She doesn’t want to push anyone into it. Instead, players should “look into their hearts” and make their own decisions.

The court, which is under criticism, had already announced that it would not be present at the tournament. She has been on the road for years as a Christian lay preacher in Down Under – and is known for her conservative attitude. Court, who lives in Perth and won a total of 24 individual titles in the four majors between 1960 and 1973, is a member of the “Hall of Fame” of tennis.