Margaret Court has hit back at an open letter tennis legend Martina Navratilova wrote to the famous Melbourne venue this week, in which she slammed Court as a "racist" and "homophobe" and called for the arena's name to be changed.
Speaking on Christian radio (via Fairfax) Court said, "They (the LGBT community) can do what they want to do. I've got nothing against them. Just don't touch the definition in a Bible marriage.
"I don't dislike Martina personally at all, or any other women players. I've got nothing against gay people. I've got them in the church. I've also got over a hundred Africans in my church and they know I love them."
In the open letter to Margaret Court Arena, Navratilova was blunt about her opinion of Court's comments regarding the LGBT community.
"It is now clear exactly who Court is: an amazing tennis player, and a racist and a homophobe," the letter reads.
"Her vitriol is not just an opinion. She is actively trying to keep LGBT people from getting equal rights (note to Court: we are human beings, too)."
Navratilova finished the letter by echoing the many calls for the venue's name to be changed.
"We should not be celebrating this kind of behaviour, this kind of philosophy," the former world number one player wrote.
"The platform people like Margaret Court use needs to be made smaller, not bigger.
"Which is why I think it's time to change your name. And I think the Evonne Goolagong Arena has a great ring to it. Now there is a person we can all celebrate. On every level."
The comments come a week after Grinspoon, who are scheduled to play at the venue later this month, addressed the controversy.
"I wonder what the Margaret Court Arena will be called by the time we play there?" bassist Joe Hansen tweeted.
i wonder what the margaret court arena will be called by the time we play there? #muppet #MarriageEquality #GTBL2017 @MargaretCourt
— joe hansen (@joespoon) May 25, 2017
Body Count and A.B. Original are set to perform at Margaret Court Arena tonight.
The Music are awaiting comments by a number of acts scheduled to play the venue over the coming months including Sigur Rós and Alison Moyet.
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