Billie Jean King wants Margaret Court Arena to be renamed

Billie Jean King has joined the chorus of people calling for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed on the back of the Australian’s “derogatory” comments about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

24-time Grand Slam winner Court, a born-again Christian, claimed tennis is “full of lesbians”, adding that transgender children are “the work of the devil”.

She also announced a boycott of Australian airline Qantas because of its chief executive’s support of same-sex marriage.

Martina Navratilova has been outspoken in her criticism of Court and wrote an open letter in which she states: “It is now clear exactly who Court is: an amazing tennis player, and a racist and a homophobe. Her vitriol is not just an opinion. She is actively trying to keep LGBT people from getting equal rights.”

A petition was also launched calling for the arena to be renamed and now King, who was named Australian Open Woman of the Year, has added her voice to the chorus.

“I was fine until lately when she said so many derogatory things about my community – I’m a gay woman – about the LBGTIQ community,” the 12-time Grand Slam winner said.

“That really went deep in my heart and soul.

“I personally don’t think she should have (her name on the stadium) anymore.”