Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe’s stunt a sign of division on Margaret Court
Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe’s on-court protest at the Australian Open has set in chain a wave of events which will roll all the way to New York in September, writes LEO SCHLINK.
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When Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe unfurled a three-word, homemade banner at Melbourne Park on Tuesday, they set in chain a wave of events which will roll all the way to New York in September.
Acutely aware of the elephant in grand slam tennis’ trophy room, Navratilova and McEnroe used the Australian Open to agitate against Margaret Court – and the arena named in her honour.
As a woman savagely persecuted by gender bigotry, Navratilova’s voice deserves to be heard more loudly than anybody else on the tennis caravan.
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Navratilova’s eloquence on the issue speaks for itself.
She was an admirer of Court’s tennis achievements – still is – but abhors the Australian’s caustic views on same sex marriage and lesbianism in general.
Hence her campaign to have Margaret Court renamed Evonne Goolagong Arena.
“When Margaret goes out of her way to single out a group of people and tell them they don’t deserve equal rights, that they are less than good parents, that they are not godly, that’s not merely free speech,” she said.
“Why not pick someone whom every child can look up to and want to emulate — a champion who inspires and motivates young and old to do their best and be their best every day? For me, that person is Evonne Goolagong.”
Navratilova’s point is Court’s tennis achievements and her polarising opinions should not be indivisible.
Tennis Australia’s censure of both Navratilova and McEnroe for breaching protocol was instructive, as was Navratilova’s apology.
Free speech, as Court knows only too well, comes with consequences. As it did for Navratilova and McEnroe.
In layman’s terms, they hijacked the Australian Open armed with a cheap political stunt and demeaned Navratilova’s otherwise principled stance.
With the Australian Open rushing to its weekend crescendo, focus will soon turn to the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Rod Laver was last year feted in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York on the 50th anniversary of his grand slam sweep.
Red carpets, champagne and deserved five-star hospitality were flung at the “Rocket.”
This year, it’s the turn of “The Arm” to be celebrated.
Melbourne did it well. Muted, respectful and engaged.
The issue now is how French, British and US officials handle the Court grand slam conundrum.
Billie Jean King famously attacked TA for overlooking Court for Laver when Laver’s name was put on Melbourne Park’s largest arena.
King, like Navratilova and McEnroe, wants Court’s name removed from Melbourne Park.
By the time the US Open starts in August, Court could be in the Big Apple – where King, Navratilova and McEnroe have even sway.
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TA straddled an awkward political divide pragmatically, welcoming Court with a derisory assessment of her views.
And it chastised Navratilova and the “activist” McEnroe with a castigating media release.
Court should not expect the same protection in New York. Whether the winner of five US singles majors is even invited by the USTA to the 2020 tournament will be fascinating – and the elephant in the room.