Andy Murray condemns tennis player’s homophobic rant, may boycott event
Andy Murray has suggested he may refuse to play on a court at the Australian Open named after homophobic tennis player Margaret Court.
Court, a former World Number One, has been back in the news this week after announcing a ‘boycott’ of Qantas Airways because of the airline’s support for same-sex marriage.
In further rants she has claimed that homosexuality is an ungodly “lust for the flesh” that LGBT tendencies in young people were “all the devil”, and that older lesbian tennis stars have ‘converted’ younger players.
In a radio interview, she said: “Tennis is full of lesbians… when I was playing there was only a couple there, but those couple that led, that took young ones into parties and things.”
Wimbledon champ Andy Murray condemned the comments after a match.
The British player, who is currently ranked #1 in the world, said: “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 [her stance].
He also suggested that he may refuse to play on the Margaret Court Arena, which is named after the player, during the Australian Open.
Murray said: “If something was to be done, I think it would be a lot more beneficial to do it before the tournament starts.
“For players to be in a position where you’re in a slam and boycotting playing on the court, I think would potentially cause a lot of issues.
“So I think if something was going to be happen 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.
“But I would imagine a lot of the players would be pretty offended. So we’ll see what happens.”
Out tennis champ Martina Navratilova has led calls for the arena’s name to be changed.
Murray’s former tennis coach, Amélie Mauresmo, recently welcomed a baby with her partner.
Mauresmo, who was previously the world #1 ranked female player, came out as a lesbian in 1999.
Andy Murray dedicated a win over his rival Novak Djokovic to Mauresmo after the family welcomed a baby boy.
