Margaret Court Claims Her Offensive Comments Were Taken Out of Context

Written by: Staff on 5th January 2012

Margaret Court Claims Her Offensive Comments Were Taken Out of Context

epa00759609 (L-R) Tennis legends Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Steffi Graf Margaret Court and Maria Bueno in the Royal Box on Centre Court after receiving crystal bowls in recognition of their successes at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships, Saturday 01 July 2006. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

A petition has been set up on Facebook to urge the Victorian state government to remove the name of Margaret Court from Melbourne Park’s third court.

Court, who won a record 62 majors, is now a Pentecostal minister and she has several times made controversial statements concerning homosexuality. She recently drew condemnation from Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Rennae Stubbs – all long known for their sexual orientation – when she spoke out against same-sex marriages.

Now Court has told the New York Times that her comments were taken out of context and that she was not opposed to homosexuals, only the concept of gay marriage.

“I think one of the tennis girls said, ‘Why do I hate homosexual people,?’ and I don’t hate homosexual people,” she said. “That’s been put out there, and I think that’s very wrong.

“When I wrote press, in the article, (it) was that they’re trying to change the laws of marriage. And that’s what it was all about. And I know, and I believe, that marriage is between a man and a woman. And that’s what the article was about, and that’s what all these other things came out of. And that wasn’t right at all.

“I should be able to — as they express themselves — I can express myself on what is right and what is wrong. And I look into the Bible, and I see that God made man for woman, and woman for man. And I said I really believe that it’s wrong, to change the laws of a marriage between a man and a woman.

“All that (criticism) came out over the world over that! I think they’re trying to make this “hate” thing — I guess to bring a righteousness, or a self-righteousness. And I was speaking on something else. And I will stand on my beliefs. And I’ve got nothing against the people whatsoever.”

The center court at Melbourne Park is named the Rod Laver Arena, with the second court named after a sponsor.