Andy Murray rejects Margaret Court stance

Andy Murray rejected Margaret Court’s gay marriage views, but says any player action must take place before Australian Open.

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates winning a point during the first round match against Andrey Kuznetsov. Picture: Getty

World No. 1 Andy Murray joined other current players in rejecting tennis great Margaret Court’s recent public stance against same-sex marriage.

The topic has generated discussion at the French Open — including about whether the Australian Open stadium that honours Court should have its name changed.

There was also talk about whether a protest of some sort could take place in connection with that Grand Slam tournament next year.

“I don’t see why anyone has a problem with two people who love each other getting married. If it’s two men, two women, that’s great. I don’t see why it should matter. It’s not anyone else’s business,” the No. 1-ranked Murray said after winning his first-round match at Roland Garros. “Everyone should have, in my opinion ... the same rights.”

In a letter published in The West Australian newspaper, Court wrote that she would stop flying Qantas “where possible” because the Australian airline “has become an active promoter for same-sex marriage.”

Asked about the prospect of players refusing to play in that stadium during the first Grand Slam tournament of 2018, Murray said he thought it “would be a lot more beneficial to do it before the tournament starts”.

“For players to be in a position where you’re in a Slam and kind of boycotting playing on the court, I think would potentially cause a lot of issues,” the three-time major champion said. “So I think if something was going to be happening and the players come to an agreement, if they think the name should be changed or whatever, that should be decided before the event.” Murray added: “I would imagine a lot of the players would be pretty offended” by what Court said, “so we’ll see what happens.”

Margaret Court. Picture: AP

Player reaction

“Obviously, she’s a legend of the sport for Australia,” said Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, an Australian player. “But I don’t agree with what she said.”

Sam Stosur yesterday said: “I think everyone can have their opinion. I don’t agree with it. But I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we all get down to the Australian Open next year — and who wants to play on Margaret Court Arena and who doesn’t. And we’ll go from there.”

Madison Keys, an American player, said that she disagrees “100 per cent” with Court’s comments.

“I kind of agree with maybe having the (Australian Open stadium’s) name changed and all of that. If that comes up, I’m sure there’s many people who would be for that,” Keys said after her win Tuesday.

“It’s like, ‘Why can’t we just be nice to each other?”’ Keys said. “So frustrating.”

With AP