The Australian Open is about to begin, where the main arena is named Court.
For decades, Margaret Court has been the pride of Australia.
In her 17 years on the professional tennis circuit, the now 78-year-old has achieved a record of 24 single Grand Slam titles, making her the most successful tennis player in Australian history.
But the Court’s legacy has been deeply tarnished by a series of homophobic comments in recent years.
Court – now a Christian pastor – is a vocal critic of transgender athletes and once called teaching LGBTQ content in schools “the work of the devil”.
Court, who obtained his Grand Slam winning record between 1961 and 1975, wrote an open letter in 2017 saying he would boycott the airline Qantas for its support for same-sex marriage. That same year, she said tennis was “full of lesbians”.
It was these comments over the years that lost their respect among the Australian public and led to the flood of anger that erupted after it leaked that the Court would receive the highest honor of public service possible, the Companion of the Order of Australia.
The court had already been recognized with a tribute to the Order of the British Empire in 1967 and another Australian service tribute in 2007 and now it received the top award on Tuesday, Australia Day, in recognition of its “remarkable achievement and service” .
However, human rights groups and the country’s political opposition have expressed their indignation at the expected appointment and this has even led a doctor in Canberra to return his own prize in protest.
Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, a trans woman, said the decision to award the most prestigious tribute to Court Australia “promotes discrimination” for LGBTQ people. Meanwhile, Australian journalist Kerry O’Brien rejected the tribute he was due to receive on Tuesday because of the “deeply insensitive and divisive decision”.
Victorian state leader, Prime Minister Daniel Andrews, said: “I do not believe that she has opinions that are in line with the vast majority of people in our country who see people, especially from the LGBTQ community, as equal and worthy of dignity, respect and security. “
Without citing names, Andrews also logged on to Twitter to say he doesn’t “want to give oxygen to that person’s infamous and prejudiced views.”
Her comments come as Victoria prepares to host the Australian Open in Melbourne Park, where the main arena is named after Court.
Other tennis stars have asked to have his name removed – including John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova – who said it should be replaced by that of indigenous champion Evonne Goolagong.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declined to enter the debate, saying, “It is an announcement that will be announced that day. It is a system that recognizes the entire spectrum of individuals across the country.”
Speaking to local reporters on Friday, Court insisted that she had been unfairly intimidated by her critics:
The Court said: “Always remember that I am a minister of the gospel and I have been for the past 30 years, I always say what the Bible says.”