Tennis Australia agrees to honour Margaret Court, but slams her views

Margaret Court's calendar-year Grand Slam jubilee will be commemorated at next year's Australian Open, Tennis Australia anunced on Saturday while hitting out at her "demeaning" personal views on homosexuality and gay marri. first Slam of 2020 will mark 50th anniversary of Court winning all four majors in same year -- holy grail of tennis. Earlier this month, Court -- w a church pastor -- complained that she h yet to receive a formal invitation to tournament in January to mark her achievement.

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It followed controversy over her views on homosexuality and gay marri, which has seen high-profile players like Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova call for Margaret Court Arena to be stripped of her name. Tennis Australia on Saturday said historic occasion would be marked with a programme of events throughout tournament, with Court invited to attend. But it me clear that her personal views were t supported by governing body.

"Tennis Australia respects Margaret's unmatched tennis career and welcomes her to Australian Open, particularly in this milestone anniversary year," it said in a statement.

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"As often stated, Tennis Australia does t agree with Margaret's personal views, which have demeaned and hurt many in our community over a number of years.

"y do t align with our values of equality, diversity and inclusion."

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Court used to attend Australian Open regularly but hasn't shown up since 2017, when controversy over her views first flared. Despite scathing comments from Tennis Australia, she said would be back for 2020. "I'm looking forward to celebrating 50th anniversary of winning Grand Slam with my family and friends at Australian Open," she said. "This is an incredible milestone for me, and I can't quite believe how quickly time has gone. It's always wonderful to catch up with my fellow legends and I'm grateful to Tennis Australia."

Court first drew fire in 2017 for saying she would avoid Qantas over airline's support for same-sex marri, which is w law in Australia following a referendum. She later claimed, in comments that were widely derided, that tennis was "full of lesbians" and that trans children were result of a Nazi-style "plot" to brainwash minds of young people. Only two or women have won all four majors in a year -- Maureen Conlly (1953) and Steffi Graf (1988). Don Budge was first man in 1938, with legendary Rod Laver only player to win it twice (1962 and 1969). Fellow Australian Laver, who like Court has a stium named after him at Melbourne Park, is routinely feted at event and was houred this year for his 1969 feet. Court claimed a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles in total with only Serena Williams (23) and Graf (22) coming close. 

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