Gay marriage pits Navratilova, Court against each other

By Sebastian Fest Jan 23, 2012, 20:15 GMT

Melbourne - Martina Navratilova and Margaret Smith Court are two of the best players in the history of women's tennis, but they could hardly be more different.

The Czech-born US citizen Navratilova, 55, is an icon of the gay and lesbian movement. The Australian Court, 69, is a Pentecostal minister and will not stop telling Navratilova that God 'loves' her although she is a lesbian.

One of the main venues at the Australian Open, with a capacity for 6,000 spectators, takes it name from Court. And the Australian gay movement is out to change that.

'Time to rename Margaret Court Arena,' Kerryn Phelps, a doctor and a leader for the gay rights movement wrote, via Twitter, to the prime minister of the Australian state of Victoria, which includes Melbourne.

Why is Margaret Court making waves? For many, her record seven consecutive Australian Open titles 1960-66 are a blurred, distant memory. To them, the former champion is much better known for her outspoken opposition to same-sex marriage, which is still an open debate in Australia.

'We live in a free society and I stand up for families between a husband and a wife. I won't ever back down on that,' said Court.

She stressed that she has 'nothing against homosexual people.'

'We have them in our church. I help them to overcome. We have people who have been homosexual who are now married,' Court said.

'I have been married for 44 years this year and, to me, marriage is something very special, wonderful, ordained by God. I look at the children of our next generation and think of the problems they are having in America with all this -- we don't need it in our nation.'

Court's comments met with the immediate criticism of Navratilova and Billie Jean King, another former tennis star who is very active in the homosexual rights movement. Australian doubles player Rennae Stubbs, in turn, accused Court of inciting hatred against homosexuals.

Before the start of the tournament, Tennis Australia (TA) reacted to the controversial remarks in no uncertain terms.

'Margaret Court has won more grand slam titles than any other player,' the federation said.

'We respect her playing record, it is second to none. But her personal views are her own, and are definitely not shared by Tennis Australia.'

The statement stressed TA's own position.

'We concur wholeheartedly with the WTA who stated that 'all human beings, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or otherwise, should be treated equally.' This is a fundamental right and principle, including within the world of sport. Anyone advocating otherwise is advocating against fundamental and essential rights.'

But tennis follows its own course, and Navratilova had to play her first match in the Legends' Doubles Tournament Sunday in Melbourne at the Margaret Court Arena.

'It's an honor, as always, to be on that court,' Navratilova said.

However, the woman who won Wimbledon nine times did not leave it there.

'Clearly, Margaret Court's views that she has expressed on same-sex marriage I think are outdated,' she said.

Navratilova recalled that, in a conversation with Court years ago, the Australian told her several times that heterosexuality is what is natural and that homosexuality is acquired over the course of life, particularly as a result of childhood trauma.

That may be why at the end of her press conference Monday Navratilova got possibly one of the most bizarre questions she has ever heard in her career.

'Delicate question,' the reporter warned.

'How do you explain that sometimes men are heterosexual at the beginning and they become gay during their life? Doesn't happen the opposite with women when they turn to be homosexual?'

Navratilova appeared surprised. More than that, she was lost for words, but she finally found a reply.

'You don't turn. Do you turn straight? No, you didn't. You don't turn gay. No, I think you don't know enough about the issue when you frame a question like that. You don't just turn. You either are or not.'