What a bloody liberty !!!
Tennis Australia says JohnMcEnroe and Martina Navratilova breached protocol with their on-court protestagainst Margaret Court.
The pair walked onto the courtnamed after the Australian tennis player holding a banner declaring it"Evonne Goolagong Arena", sparking an investigation from the officialbody."We embrace diversity,inclusion and the right for people to have a view, as well as their right tovoice that view," Tennis Australia said in a statement tonight.
"But the Australian Openhas regulations and protocols with respect to how any fan, player or guest canuse our facility, the event, and the global stage it provides. This is toensure the integrity of our event."Two high-profile guestshave breached these protocols and we are working through this with them."
Martina #Navratilovamakes a statement about changing the name of #MargaretCourtArena after her legends doubles match on that court. Tennis Australia cuts offthe feed to @Eurosport.
It's unclear what punishmentthe two legends of the sport may face.
The protest was in response tolast night's honour for Court in a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversaryof her 1970 Grand Slam, being presented with a special trophy by Rod Laver.
Navratilova, who won 18 grandslams before retiring in 2006, made an impassioned plea for Margaret CourtArena to be renamed to honour indigenous star Goolagong, after slamming Courtfor her homophobia.
In a letter posted on Tennis.com she blasted the Australian great, saying the nationcould not honour her as a sporting hero when the tennis great's homophobicviews were so "hurtful" to the LGBTIQ community."Yes, we have free speechin a democracy, but that doesn't mean that free speech doesn't haveconsequences," she wrote.
"When Margaret goes out ofher way to single out a group of people and tell them they don't deserve equalrights, that they are less than good parents, that they are not godly, that'snot merely free speech.
"It's hateful and hurtfulspeech and it's injurious to countless vulnerable people."
Navratilova argued buildings,stadiums, airports and streets which recognised public figures should be namedafter "exceptional human beings" and "heroes", a categorywhich she claimed Court did not fit into.
MartinaNavratilova is calling for Margaret Court Arena to be renamed. (Getty)"Nobody disputes herachievements on the tennis court, and her place in the sport's history remainsas distinguished as it gets," she said.
"Nobody wants to take awayor diminish her career.
"But Margaret Court doesnot belong in that company or category."
McEnroe also blasted Court'shomophobia in a satirical video yesterday, describing heras a "crazy aunt", with offensive views.
Navratilova claimed Goolagong,former number one player in the world, was a "worthy replacement" forthe Melbourne arena's name."My vote goes to EvonneGoolagong," Navratilova said.
"Evonne is the embodimentof what a role model or hero truly is.
"Her heritage, her successagainst the odds, her Hall of Fame career and her exemplary life off court, inwhich she has given so much of herself to so many causes, are all attributes wecan celebrate wholeheartedly."
