The Australian tennis legend said Shanahan had been targeted on Facebook for his involvement in the Albury-Wodonga-based tennis academy named after her.

“It's sad what is happening to Phil and the Margaret Court Tennis Academy,” Court said.

“He works with children and to (attack) him on Facebook and the computer shows you they are not considering other people.

“It's not being done in a very nice way and is bullying really.

“It's time to stop it all.

“It's become a game of intimidation and that is very sad.”

Court said sponsors of the academy were also being targeted.

The controversy erupted when she wrote a letter stating she wouldn't fly with Qantas again after its public backing of same-sex marriage.

Mr Shanahan has not returned calls The Border Mail in recent days.

Almost a year ago, Mr Shanahan was presented with an Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to tennis, charity work and teaching.

He is a teacher at St Patrick's Primary School in Albury.

Mr Shanahan has had a long-term aim to establish a museum in his hometown containing trophies and memorabilia from his aunty's glittering tennis career which included 64 Grand Slam victories.

Her 24 singles titles is one more than American Serena Williams following her victory in the Australian Open earlier this year.

The Margaret Court Tennis Academy was launched a decade ago and Shanahan has regularly led tennis trips for junior players to overseas countries.

Past and present Australian tennis players including John Fitzgerald, Sam Groth, Dianne Balestrat, Rex Hartwig and Casey Dellacqua have been academy ambassadors.

Dellacqua has broken her silence on another letter written by Court three years ago questioning the validity of same-sex relationships.

Dellacqua has two children in an openly gay relationship with Amanda Judd.