John McEnroe Just Laid The Smackdown On Margaret Court And Her Racist And Homophobic Views
Tennis legend John McEnroe is not just known for being a seven-time major champion.
He is also known for his short fuse.
But recently, he also served up a sinful helping of shade at Australia's "crazy aunt" of tennis, Margaret Court.
For the uninitiated, Court was a former world number one tennis player. In 1970, she became the first woman in the open era to win all four Grand Slams and still holds the record for being a 24-time Grand Slam winner.
She is currently a Christian minister in Perth, Western Australia.
She is also a notorious racist and homophobe.
John McEnroe sends down another ace... https://t.co/mX9iMI5TiH— Francis Leach (@Francis Leach) 1580100573.0
As an example, she famously commented that LGBT teaching in schools was the work of "the devil" and that tennis is full of "lesbians."
@LyleShelton Margaret Court was a good tennis player. That doesn't mean she isn't also extremely bigoted when she c… https://t.co/na6DiBDQZx— Westeros has a Starbucks (@Westeros has a Starbucks) 1579688661.0
Court also proclaimed she would never fly Australia's national airline Qantas because they support same-sex marriage.
@janeenorman @joshgnosis @Qantas Would have thought Margaret Court wouldn't be flying anywhere anyway, as there wer… https://t.co/Wvmba1qAxP— Elle Cee (@Elle Cee) 1495682841.0
In honor of commemorating the 77-year-old's 50th anniversary of her Grand Slam milestone, Tennis Australia invited Court to attend this year's tournament, despite her personal views of "intolerance and demeaning language."
Tennis champion Margaret Court will be honoured tonight on the 50th anniversary of her Grand Slam. But… https://t.co/6bg18xyZNi— 10 News First Melbourne (@10 News First Melbourne) 1580105922.0
But McEnroe had plenty more to say and expressed it on his Eurosport segment, Commissioner of Tennis.
He argued that in honoring someone, you cannot separate the person—in this case, an ornery homophobe and racist—from their achievements.
"Please win two more Grand Slams so we can leave Margaret Court and her offensive views in the past where she belon… https://t.co/3GwylskVFf— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport UK) 1580045490.0
McEnroe, a former player-turned-pundit known for his confrontational proclivities, quipped:
"The air quality in Melbourne is not the only nightmare that Tennis Australia is having. Margaret Court is another one."
"This year marks the 50th anniversary of Margaret Court's grand slam and Tennis Australia is facing a dilemma. What do they do with their crazy aunt?"
McEnroe pleaded with 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams to best Court's record.
"Serena, do me a favor. Get two more grand slams this year and get to 25 so we can leave Margaret Court and her offensive views in the past where they both belong."
Williams' fans were here for McEnroe assigning her as Court Slayer.
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams Love it! 😀, that's definitely a motivator for Serena, if she ever needed one, and may… https://t.co/av08u3RhZd— Think (@Think) 1580048810.0
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams 👏 bravo 👏— boundless plains to share (@boundless plains to share) 1580107176.0
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams Sooo good. Thankyou— Sue Pieters-Hawke (@Sue Pieters-Hawke) 1580117110.0
@Eurosport_UK @peterc_150 @serenawilliams Brilliant- trust Ausie’s still have the sense of humor of old- ouch is that a punn- JM you rock— TheGOTHPontiffInvHunterWhisperer (@TheGOTHPontiffInvHunterWhisperer) 1580137904.0
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams I agree, Go Serena!— Michaelcymatic (@Michaelcymatic) 1580154504.0
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams Legend. Spot on point.— Rico Thorton (@Rico Thorton) 1580161326.0
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams Brilliant and I love you McEnroe. Brave. Honest.— randomaccess (@randomaccess) 1580195971.0
@Eurosport_UK @serenawilliams This is the best video Eurosport could circulate to re-establish truth and trust. Tha… https://t.co/phhWKfDXOp— Benjamin. 🇫🇷🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@Benjamin. 🇫🇷🇬🇧🇪🇺) 1580052432.0
McEnroe referenced the Glam Slam—the only international LGBTIQ+ tennis event taking place with a Grand Slam tournament at the same venue.
He added:
"To the credit of Tennis Australia, Margaret Court's tribute is counter-balanced by the organization of the biggest LGBTIQ tennis tournament in the world at Melbourne Park."
"Organizers call it the glam slam. Margaret would probably call it hell on earth."
The Glam Slam is sanctioned by the Gay Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA) and will take place at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open.
The finals will take place at Court 3 on February 2.