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Tennis Legend Margaret Court Makes More Abhorrent Homophobic Remarks

Tennis Legend Margaret Court Makes More Abhorrent Homophobic Remarks

The 24 time grand slam winner has annoyed most of the tennis world.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Being one of the greatest of all time in your chosen sport does not allow you to spew your own abhorrent and backward views without criticism coming your way, no matter what Margaret Court seems to believe on the back of her latest homophobic statements.

Some of sport's greatest stars have been eccentric to say the least. Boxing's Mike Tyson, golf's Tiger Woods, football's Paul Gascoigne and F1's James Hunt are amongst the names who were greats but had their issues.

Of course to some degree we can forgive our idols for what they've done and sometimes we can even separate the art from the artists, Manchester United fans hardly held a grudge against Ryan Giggs and Chelsea fans continued to call John Terry a legend.

Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs

United fans found it in their hearts to forgive Ryan Giggs. Image: PA

But there's certain indiscretions that you can't just point to your shiny medals to get out of, especially when the only way you are really relevant is by having a court named after you as is the case with tennis legend Margaret Court.

The 74 year-old said she would boycott Qantas airline for backing gay marriage, something that angered a lot of tennis players with many calling for the court at the Australian Open which is named after her to be boycotted during next year's championships.

And now speaking on Vision Christian Radio the 24 time singles grand slam winner has blamed gay tennis players for trying to influence others saying, "Tennis is full of lesbians. Even when I was playing there were only a couple there but those couple that led took young ones into parties. And what you get at the top is often what you'll get right through that sport."

Court playing at Wimbledon. Image: PA

The Australian, now a pastor in her hometown of Perth, then added her views on transgender people, comparing them to Hitler, saying, "You can think, 'Oh, I'm a boy', and it will affect your emotions and feelings and everything else. That's all the devil.

"That's what Hitler did and that's what communism did, got the minds of the children. There's a whole plot in our nation and in the nations of the world to get the minds of the children."

Andy Murray playing on Margaret Court...Image: PA

Current world number one Andy Murray hit back at Court's initial comments and said that rather than boycott the court it should be renamed, "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. Everyone, in my opinion, should have the same rights. I don't agree with that (Court's stance).

"If something was to be done, I think it would be a lot more beneficial to do it before the tournament starts...and the players come to an agreement, if they think the name should be changed or whatever, that should be decided before the event starts."

Court also said she 'deserved' to have the Australian Open court named after her, arrogance and bigotry- President Trump would be proud.

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