The controversial great tennis player Margaret Court revealed that she was not invited to this year’s Australian Open and says her Order of Australia award took too long to arrive.
The debate has escalated since it leaked last week that the Court would receive the Companion of the Order of Australia – the country’s highest honor. She had already been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007.
The achievements of the 78-year-old actress on the tennis court are unquestionable, with her 24 grand slam titles from simple yet the world reference. But his views on the LGBTQ community and his fierce opposition to same-sex marriage have drawn furious criticism.
His last order from the Order of Australia stoked the fire even more, but the Court does not regret accepting the honor.
“No, because I loved representing my nation,” Court told 3AW on Tuesday. “When I received the AO, it was within the reach of my community. We distribute 75 tons of food a week. And that was for my tennis, and I think it was a long time.
“I was not what I was looking for. I didn’t know I was getting it. I was very honored when they said yes. There was not much noise about it, but many other people made a lot of noise about it. “
The controversy escalated when Court accepted Tennis Australia’s invitation to the Australian Open in 2020 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1970 Grand Slam sweep.
Court said he had not received an invitation to this year’s tournament and would not have accepted it in any way due to several factors.
“I’m not going to the Australian Open. No, I wasn’t invited, ”said Court. “With the coronavirus, we have been very busy with our community work. I didn’t even think about it. “
The court reiterated its view that being gay is a choice and can be cured, but it feels that some of its views have been misinterpreted.
“I always said what the Bible says,” she said. “I don’t hate anyone. I love people and I love gays and transgender people, and we welcome them into our community services. We never reject anyone.
“A lot of things were said that I never really said, which I think was the sad part.
“I have been suffering a lot of bullying in recent years and I don’t care. It’s all right. But if I say something, then [they say] I’m a fanatic and I’m everything, and I don’t like it. “