Champion Court humiliated

John McEnroe in his recent criticism of Margaret Court (“Mixed reaction as Margaret Court honoured for 1970 Grand Slam”, 28/1) is doing what he has done and still does so well and that is playing to the crowd, but this time it is the politically correct crowd.

It is interesting that McEnroe criticises Court for voicing her opinions when he uses the same freedom of speech to denigrate her. McEnroe’s legacy to tennis pales into insignificance when compared to Court’s. Wishing like hell for Serena Williams to overtake Court’s record of Grand Slams because of her personal opinions is shameful. As for McEnroe referring to Court as Australia’s “crazy aunt”, one wonders where the #MeToo voices are now.

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

I want to express my total dismay over the comments by John McEnroe regarding Margaret Court. He degraded her because of a personal belief that has nothing to do with her achievements for our sporting nation.

This is a land of free speech so he could say such things. And then there was Tennis Australia literally putting a gag on her on Monday night and not allowing her to speak as she was recognised for her great achievements. How humiliating for her. What does this attitude show our young and upcoming tennis stars? What a terrible example of freedom of speech.

Corinne Lindsay, Rochedale South, Qld

Thankfully, the ceremony to “recognise” Margaret Court’s great achievements has passed off without undue ugliness, but it is worth reflecting on the exquisite irony of Tennis Australia’s dilemma. In the name of an entirely spurious diversity, we are now required to celebrate an alphabet soup of gender and sexual preference possibilities, while even the expression of views held in every age prior to this as immutable biological truths is verboten. Truly, “there’s nowt so queer as folk”.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

It seems everyone has a view on Margaret Court and most have been captured in the media. And yes I cannot condone Court’s very public utterances. I may be “a softie” but I hate to see human beings marginalised. We are witnessing a “pack mentality” that seeks to diminish the person under attack (in this case, Court). Court was made to feel “like a leper”. Fancy not being allowed to “speak to the crowd”. We can have no concept of how Court must feel.

Noel Butterfield, Montmorency, Vic

The tennis enthusiasts, if that’s what they are, who demonstrated against our tennis great Margaret Court this week, including defacing the Australian flag with the LGBTI colours, are a disgrace to tennis and to our society.

These are the same people who demand their right to promote their beliefs yet they oppose any attempt by others, such as Court, to offer an alternative view. To them freedom of speech is a right, but only if it’s in a language that represents their opinion.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

The hypocrisy of the anti-Margaret Court brigade knows no bounds. Martina Navratilova complains yet again of the “hurt” that Court’s Christian views about same-sex marriage cause, while John McEnroe rants and raves about Court as a “crazy aunt” and her “homophobic” Christian views. Whatever one’s personal position on the subject, what about the “hurt” the supporters of same-sex marriage cause to Christians and others with their views? That hurt, apparently, is irrelevant.

David Iggulden, Wentworth Falls, NSW

Full marks to Margaret Court, the world’s best ever female tennis player, for graciously attending the presentation in honour of the 50th anniversary of her Grand Slam. Tennis Australia should have allowed her to respond with the warning tennis was the only topic to be mentioned. As she herself agreed, this ceremony was one in which tennis and her personal views would be kept separate.

Brickbats to the likes of John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billy Jean King and others who preferred to throw insults at this champion. They are lesser people for it. McEnroe’s comment that he hoped Serena Williams would win two more Grand Slam events to creep ahead of Court were particularly out of place.

With the other two-time Grand Slam winner Rod Laver by her side, it was a magical moment to which cheers totally outnumbered jeers.

Good onya, Margaret.

Ken Johnston, Rochedale Sth, Qld