'Crazy aunt' Court belongs to the past, snipes McEnroe

MELBOURNE－John McEnroe mocked Australian Margaret Court as the 'crazy aunt' of tennis on Monday and said he hoped Serena Williams could beat the 77-year-old's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Court has attracted heavy criticism for voicing her religious-based opposition to same-sex marriage.

The Australian Open on Monday marked the 50th anniversary of her 1970 feat of winning all four major titles in one calendar year with compatriot Rod Laver, who completed the calendar slam twice in 1962 and 1969, handing her a trophy to some applause.

McEnroe, meanwhile, unleashed his broadside on Eurosport television.

"There's only one thing longer than a list of Margaret Court's tennis achievements: it's her list of offensive and homophobic statements," said the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

"Serena, do me a favor, get two more Grand Slams this year and get to 25 so we can leave Margaret Court and her offensive views in the past, where they both belong. Thank you," added the American.

Williams, who won the last of her 23 majors at the Australian Open in 2017, was knocked out of this year's tournament in the third round.

Court, a Christian pastor at a Perth-based church she set up decades ago, launched a tirade against transgender athletes and called the teaching of LGBTI materials at schools the work of the "devil" during a sermon last month.

Tennis Australia has been quick to stress it does not agree with Court's views on same-sex marriage or the LGBTI community and has said the recognition is solely for her tennis achievements.

McEnroe said the person could not be separated from the achievements.

"The air quality in Melbourne is not the only nightmare that Tennis Australia is having," said the American, referring to smoke from recent bushfires. "Margaret Court is another one.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of Margaret Court's Grand Slam and Tennis Australia is facing a dilemma: What do they do with their crazy aunt?"

Martina Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and is a prominent activist for gay rights, also raised a critical voice.

"It's just unfortunate because I think what Margaret Court doesn't realize is how many people she hurts with her rhetoric," said the American.

"She can believe whatever she wants but she's actually hurting people and that's not OK."

Progressed 'as a human'

Nick Kyrgios said he was "shattered" by defeat to Rafael Nadal but added he's "made progress as a human" after a promising Australian Open campaign ended in the fourth round on Monday.

The often combustible Australian has cut a calmer figure at his home Grand Slam tournament, even in the cauldron of his 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6),7-6(4) loss on Rod Laver Arena.

"I'm shattered to have lost tonight. Obviously these are the matches that I want to win the most. But overall this (Australian) summer has been fun," Kyrgios said.

The basketball-mad 24-year-old was deeply affected by the death of Kobe Bryant, and he arrived on court wearing a Lakers shirt in tribute to the American great.

But he said the "horrendous" news had given him motivation for his match against Nadal, the world No 1 and 19-time Grand Slam winner.

"I feel like I've made progress as a human. A tennis player, I don't really care about as much," he said.

"I want to keep going in this direction, for sure... the trouble for me is being able to actually just produce the same attitude over and over again.

"I mean, hopefully I can keep doing it. I'm just taking it day by day, trying to be positive, just bring positive vibes."

Kyrgios gained new respect for spearheading fund-raising efforts for Australia's deadly bushfires, a crisis which he said had given him a new perspective.

He was handed a suspended 16-week ban in September after a string of indiscretions and on-court meltdowns.

Kyrgios, who has said he prefers basketball to tennis, said of Bryant:"I don't think they make them like him any more. He was different, the way he trained, the way he did things, the way he played.

"He was special. Just sad. When I think about (how) my life is literally basketball, it's heavy. It's tough."

Reuters / AFP