www.journalgazette.net
www.journalgazette.net
www.journalgazette.net
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Billie Jean King, former ladies singles champion gestures during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. King is in Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Australian Open victory. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Billie Jean King, former ladies singles champion holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. King is in Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Australian Open victory. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Billie Jean King, former ladies singles champion talks with Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley, left, during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Kin is in Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Australian Open victory. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Friday, January 12, 2018 3:29 am
Billie Jean King backs calls to rename Margaret Court Arena
By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Billie Jean King thinks Margaret Court Arena should be renamed, saying she wouldn't play in this Australian Open if she was still competing because of the 24-time major winner's comments about same-sex marriage and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
King, a pioneer for equality and diversity in tennis, said she had been a vocal proponent of Court having the second show stadium at the Australian Open named in recognition of her contribution to the sport.
King told a news conference Friday: "I was fine until lately when she said so many derogatory things about my community — I'm a gay woman — about the LBGTIQ community ... that really went deep in my heart and soul."
