If she had her time again, Margaret Court would do it all the same.
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The Australian tennis legend and grand slam titles record holder came under public scrutiny for her long-held stance on same sex-marriage in 2017.
Court is back on the Border to open the Margaret Court Cup for the first time in eight years today.
“I just said what the bible said and I think a lot of people didn’t like it,” Court said.
“Really that’s all I was saying and you got blasted because of it and bullied because of it.
“In my heart, I have nothing against the person, we have them in our own church, but that’s how I think it was portrayed.
“I think I had broad shoulders in tennis and you can carry it through.
“I’d still say the same thing again today.
We need to be able to say what we think and believe.
- Margaret Court
“I think we really need to protect freedom of speech because that’s the start of something.
“We need to be able to say what we think and believe.
“It wasn’t that I was saying what I thought, I was saying it from what God thought in the Scriptures.”
Court admitted she stands up and speaks her mind for the next generation.
“I think a lot of people did (get upset) because I think they lead that lifestyle and that’s their choice,” she said.
“I don’t have anything against what they choose, but I say it because of the next generation of the children.
“I think we’ll have a very confused group of young people, particularly with what they’re trying to bring into the schools more and more.
“I think that’s sad.
“That’s the only reason, at my age, why would I be doing it? I have grandchildren, so I look at the children and think from that age is when everything is planted.”
Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles could be equalled by Australian Open favourite Serena Williams this month.
“It’s close with the singles, I don’t think anybody will ever beat the overall (64 grand slams),” Court said.
“I think if she (Williams) wins and she beats it, she deserves it because I’ve held it for close to 50 years.”
Court won’t attend this year’s Australian Open, heading to a wedding in Sydney on Friday before returning home to Perth.
But stepping back on the Albury grass courts this week brought back plenty of fond memories.
“Western Australia has got a few of them, but you don’t see them too much,” Court said.
“Melbourne has Kooyong and Sydney has a few at White City, but that’s it.”
A record 415 entries have been taken for this year’s event, with nine countries represented.
Court will officially open proceedings today at 8.30am, with the team’s event to follow.
The tournament proper begins on Friday.
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