Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe staged an on-court protest at the Australian Open in a bid to have Margaret Court Arena renamed.
Both former world No1s have been publicly outspoken in the past against Court over her controversial stand on racism, gender and equal rights.
The pair unfurled a banner with the words ‘Evonne Goolagong Arena’, following on from an article in which Navratilova had called for the venue to be renamed by the tournament. Goolagong, who is from an Aboriginal family, won 11 majors in the 1970s and 80s.
Navratilova then took to the umpire’s chair to speak to the assembled crowd on 1573 Arena, saying: “I’ve been speaking out about an issue for a while now and John McEnroe is here to join me and push the conversation forward…” before the microphone was cut off and the television feed ended.
The protest comes after 77-year-old Court was presented with a commemorative trophy (above) to mark 50 years since she achieved the career grand slam. Tennis Australia was quick to rebuke both Navratilova and McEnroe for their activity, saying in a statement: “We embrace diversity, inclusion and the right for people to have a view as well as their right to voice that view.
“But the Australian Open has regulations and protocols with respect to how any fan, player or guest can use our facility, the event and the global stage it provides. This is to ensure the integrity of our event.
“Two high-profile guests have breached these protocols and we are working through this with them.”
McEnroe had previously called on Serena Williams to quickly erase Court from the record books by eclipsing her 24 Grand Slam singles victories, while Navratoliva called for Margaret Court Arena to be rebranded Evonne Goolagong Arena, saying: “Why not pick someone whom every child can look up to and what to emulate? For me, that person is Evonne Goolagong.”
