Fashion icon Anna Wintour calls for Margaret Court Arena to be renamed

Fashion icon Anna Wintour has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Scott Morrison and tennis legend Margaret Court, calling for Margaret Court Arena to be renamed to honour someone who is a champion both on and off-court.

Fashion icon Anna Wintour has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Scott Morrison and tennis legend Margaret Court.

In a keynote address for the Australian Open Inspirational Series, Wintour, the Vogue editor-in-chief, questioned Morrison’s commitment to same-sex rights, and Court’s name on a Melbourne arena.

Australian tennis legend Court has repeatedly made headlines for her homophobic comments.

“I want to align myself with that Australian spirit of warmth and openness today,” Wintour told invited guests at a brunch at The Glasshouse in Melbourne.

FOLLOW THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN LIVE

WHY SHOULDN’T WOMEN COACH MEN?

Anna Wintour at the AO Inspirational Series Brunch. Picture: Getty Images

The fashion editor addressed attendees today. Picture: Tennis Australia

Anna Wintour at Tuesday’s match between Ashleigh Barty and Petra Kvitova. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

“It is inconsistent for the sport for Margaret Court’s name to be on the stadium that does so much to bring all people together across their differences.

“This much I think is clear to anyone who understands the spirit and joy of the game.

“Intolerance has no place in tennis. What we love in the stands is watching these remarkable men and women exceed themselves while being themselves in many different forms.

“Margaret Court was a champion on the court but a meeting point for players of all nations, preferences, and backgrounds should celebrate somebody that was a champion off it as well,” Wintour said.

In a wide-ranging speech, Wintour spoke of powerful women in sport and life.

“I have admired the way you support your women, especially in sport,” she said.

Fashion editor Anna Wintour addresses the 2019 Australian Open Inspirational Series Brunch. Picture: Tennis Australia

Anna Wintour greets Venus Williams in Serena Williams’s box on Monday. Picture: Tennis Australia

“It is clear why this is the home of Stephanie Gilmore, Samantha Kerr and Evonne Goolagong Cawley and why those women have done so much work beyond training to use their platforms to bring about change.”

She continued: “Again and again, you have reminded us how much can still be done and how to move in that direction.

“When you wore your blue ribbons for refugees, many of us in the US cheered you on. When Australia passed same-sex marriage a couple of years ago, the world sang in celebration with you.”

But Wintour, an LGBTI supporter, said world leaders, including Australian PM Morrison, needed to step up on same-sex equality.

TENNIS CHOKES: NO ONE IS IMMUNE FROM CURSE

MARGARET COURT SNUBS AUSTRALIAN OPEN AGAIN

“Some responsibility rests with those of us who have opportunities to lead, whether in sport, in business, or like those of us in journalism with a voice,” she said.

“Not everyone in power in Australia today seems to admire the country’s leadership role.

“Like many of you, I have been alarmed by your Prime Minister’s record on LBTGQ rights, which seems backward in all senses that no one can be expelled from school for their orientation should not require clarification.

“A government should protect its people and not make it unclear whether they will be accepted. We are struggling with these issues in the US too.

“Fortunately though, opportunities for leadership and change extend beyond the leaders of the moment. There are many different paths towards change and all of us can make immediate strides.”

Margaret Court is a controversial figure after her homophobic comments. Picture: The Australian

‘WHEN YOU SINGLE OUT MY FAMILY ... IT’S NOT OKAY’

MARTINA DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER AUS OPEN

LEGEND BLASTS COURT IN EMOTIONAL OPEN LETTER

Margaret Court has been a controversial figure after her divisive comments on same-sex marriage and snubbed the Australian Open once again this year.

The 76-year-old former world No.1 this year said she hoped her incredible tennis career would convince the public to support keeping her name on the Melbourne Park stadium.

“That’s probably up to the people, but I think I did do what I did,” she said this month.

Despite drawing widespread criticism for her views, Court said she maintained the same stance.

“You get bullied for things that you believe and what you say but I would do it again, so that’s all right,” she said.

Tennis Australia chief operations officer Tom Larner has previously said there was no plan to rename Margaret Court Arena.

Court won 24 grand slam singles titles, including all four grand slams in a calendar year, in a glittering career in the 1960s and ’70s before becoming a Christian minister in WA.

@[e-mail]