Australian Open: Margaret Court returns serve to ‘persecutors’
A slew of tennis royalty and other famous faces attended the first day of the Australian Open.
A slew of tennis royalty and other famous faces attended the first day of the Australian Open on Monday, among them former champion Margaret Court, who hit back at critics who had “persecuted” her for her religious beliefs.
With the roof on Rod Laver Arena closed throughout the day due to rain, Court watched on as reigning women’s champion Naomi Osaka and former men’s world No 1 Roger Federer won their matches in straight sets.
Court, however, was absent for at least a large part of the match in between, which started at lunchtime and featured Serena Williams, who is seeking to equal the Australian’s longstanding record of 24 grand slam title wins.
Former star Frank Sedgman, who won his first Australian Open in 1949 and is now 92 years old, was also in attendance on Monday, along with Trent Cotchin, captain of AFL club Richmond, ex-AFL player Dane Swan and former cricketer Bill Lawry.
The Open has gained a reputation as a celebrity event, and on Monday one post-match press conference even featured talk of the recent controversy that has engulfed the royal family.
Williams, who is a close friend of Meghan Markle and has played in front of the former princess at Wimbledon over the past two years, did her best to dodge a question on the significance of the recent royal split.
“I have absolutely no comment on that. But good try. Good try. You did good,” she said.
Having avoided pre-tournament press, the US superstar was also quizzed over her holiday catch-up with dual Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin.
“It was just by chance. We met in the Maldives,” she said.
“He just happened to be there. We just hung out. We had a blast.”
Williams said they opted against inviting the Richmond star, who is notoriously publicity shy, to the tournament.
However, it was Court who attracted the most attention off the court on Monday, with the Christian minister telling ABC Perth radio on Monday that her tennis legacy was being forgotten.
When asked if she could “flick off the Christian switch” to focus solely on tennis, she said: “I’d love that. I’d be happy to do that. That’s why I’m over here. (But) if people bring it in, I’ll answer it.”
Court is a special guest at this year’s open, and will be honoured for the 50th anniversary of her grand slam wins at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open and US Open in 1970.
The polarising figure has attracting widespread criticism for her views on the LGBTI community, including her opposition to same-sex marriage.
Tennis greats Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, as well as Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, have called for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed in light of her views.
Court said she wished people would focus on her tennis and said she’d been “persecuted” for teaching the Bible.
Additional reporting: Courtney Walsh
More Coverage
16-year old Emerson Jones triumphs as Family Connection Takes Center Stage
World number one junior Emerson Jones made her Far North debut on Wednesday, but for the 16-year old with a bright future, it was an acknowledgment of the past shared with her older brother that was at the forefront of her performance.
WADA appeals World No.1’s doping decision, pursues ban
Jannik Sinner is “very disappointed” but confident after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision to clear him in his steroid case, seeking a ban of up to two years.