Mixed reaction as Margaret Court honoured for 1970 Grand Slam

Margaret Court was honoured on Australia’s grandest court on Monday night, but did not speak. That was left to others.

Margaret Court lifts her replica Daphne Ackhurst trophy. Picture: AFP

From one tennis legend to another, Rod Laver presented Margaret Court with a replica of the Australian Open women’s trophy at a ceremony held on the court named after him in Melbourne on Monday night.

After months of consternation over a tribute to the outspoken Court to mark the first leg of her triumphant 1970 Grand Slam, she was honoured on Australia’s grandest court but did not speak.

Laver, who had been similarly honoured in Melbourne last January for his 1969 Grand Slam, placed his arm around the West Australian-based pastor before ­exiting to allow Court her ­moment. The 11-time Australian Open champion held aloft the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Trophy amid applause from the ­majority of the stadium for her achievement 50 years ago, which began with her win over Kerry Melville in Sydney.

American legend Billie-Jean King, who has been vocal in her condemnation of Court’s stance on homosexuality, featured in a video tribute in which she discussed their 1970 Wimbledon final.

People in the crowd hold up a rainbow flag during Margaret Court’s tribute. Picture: Michael Klein

A handful of fans sported rainbow flags and there were scattered boos inside the stadium, but the reaction away from the court from her peers was more critical than that afforded her inside Rod Laver Arena. Martina Navratilova said the 24-time major champion needed to understand she was hurting people with her commentary on the LGBT community: “It’s just unfortunate because I think what Margaret Court doesn’t realise is how many people she hurts with her rhetoric.”

John McEnroe was scathing in his critique and pleaded with American legend Serena Williams, who has 23 major singles ­titles, to overtake the Australian.

“There’s only one thing longer than the list of Margaret Court’s tennis achievements. It’s her list of offensive and homophobic statements,” he said.