It is only a couple of years since Martina Navratilova called her “a homophobe” before carrying, alongside John McEnroe, a homemade banner onto court bearing the words “Evonne Goolagong Arena”.
The 82-year-old is now an ordained Pentecostal minster and has repeatedly made anti- LGBT+ comments. She called same-sex marriage “alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions” when she campaigned against its legalisation in Australia.
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Read MoreNavratilova, who has been married to Julia Lemigova since 2014, complained that Court “goes out of her way to single out a group of people and tell them they don’t deserve equal rights, that they are less than good parents, that they are not godly”.
But in tennis at least, Court’s rhetoric seem to have had the opposite effect to its intended one.
The organisation he heads runs the Glam Slam, a three-day tennis event at the Australian Open that welcomes 260 players from more than 30 countries and makes the tournament “truly inclusive”. It starts on Pride Day.
“Everyone is welcome at the Australian Open, which means Margaret Court as well. It’s a bit of a surprise that she’s there [on Pride Day], but she’s welcome. I hope she enjoys the tennis. I genuinely do.”
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Read More“She’s irrelevant now,” D’Souza says, quick to praise Tennis Australia’s efforts to embrace the community he helps represent. “She can say what she wants.”
“She is the greatest grand slam player ever, and when she played tennis, it was so tough for women to achieve,” D’Souza adds.
Court meanwhile was not seen at the Australian Open for four years – she says she was very busy and also was not invited – before returning last year.
However welcome she may be, Court’s presence at the tournament on this specific day still feels incongruous. As well as the start of the Glam Slam, there will be roving drag queens and kings across the grounds and a “Pride Breakfast” will feature a panel discussion with legendary Olympian Ian Thorpe and other high-profile members of the LGBT+ and sporting community.
Perhaps four years ago, the 24-time grand slam winner’s name would have been the subject of much debate. Now, perhaps her views really are irrelevant.
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