Billie Jean King’s surprise support for rival Margaret Court ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup
Billie Jean King and Margaret Court have drastically disagreed with each other in decades since their tennis glory days. But now, the American trailblazer has revealed she stands with her rival on one divisive issue.
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Female trailblazer Billie Jean King has urged Victorians to live up to their reputation as Australia’s biggest sports fans by packing the MCG for the Women’s T20 World Cup final.
More than 75,000 tickets had last night been sold to Sunday’s Australia-India decider, meaning it will already be the biggest female sporting event ever staged down under.
But a new world record women’s sporting crowd mark will be set if more than 90,185 attend.
And tennis legend and equality campaigner King said Melbourne could send an incredible message for women’s sport just by turning up.
“We need everyone to come down,’’ she said.
“Bring the kids, bring 2000 of your best friends.
“This is an amazing opportunity.’’
In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, King said she was glad her arch rival Margaret Court was celebrated during the Australian Open.
“There were a lot of people that thought they shouldn’t but of course they should celebrate her tennis,’’ she said.
“She won more than anybody and they should celebrate that.’’
But she said Court’s views of same sex marriage and the fact Margaret Court Arena was named after her at Melbourne Park was an issue.
“She has a right to her belief system so I honour that and she has a right to say what she likes, like anybody,’’ King said.
“I do think it’s important to be very hospitable and inclusive when you have your name on anything.
“You’ve got a real sense of responsibility to think of, at least that is what I think.’’
She spoke of her admiration for “amazing’’ Aussie Ash Barty – as a player and person.
“Australia is so lucky to have her,’’ she said.
“She’s so kind, she’s so nice and so thoughtful.
“She thinks in ‘we’, not just “I” which is unusual, especially in tennis.
“She’s an amazing athlete and I think she’s going to win a lot more.’’
King, 73, said Australia should “do something really special’’ to honour fellow tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
And she said Victoria had the chance to send a message to the world by filling the MCG on International Women’s Day.
“I hope everybody from all over Australia has the chance to come and support on Sunday to honour the athletes but also to fight towards equality,’’ she said.
“Sports are a microcosm of society so when we do something right it helps the rest of the world.’’
The current record for a women’s sporting event was set at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
Melbourne set the record — 93,013 — for the biggest crowd at a cricket match during the 2015 World Cup final at the MCG.
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