Only a select group of people have a world-famous tennis court named after them. Novak Djokovic won Sunday’s US Open final playing on Arthur Ashe, named after the pioneering black star of the 1970s; it sits beside Louis Armstrong Stadium, a former music venue which salutes the New York jazz musician; in Paris, former player and influential governor Philippe Chatrier’s name adorns the main venue at Roland Garros.
Then there is the Margaret Court Arena, which stands next to the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park. That Court still has her name up in lights is perplexing to me, but repeated calls to rename the stadium after someone who does not express their racist, homophobic and transphobic attitudes have so far fallen on deaf ears at Tennis Australia. It is not only that Court harbours deeply discriminatory views on a number of topics; it is that she actively seeks controversy and a reaction to her prehistoric beliefs.
