In a rare interview, Margaret Court, the most decorated tennis player of all time, criticized Serena Williams.
“I’ve always respected Serena as a player,” remarked Court.
“But I don’t think she has ever admired me.”
The court also chastised Williams for failing to congratulate her opponent during her final match.
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The tennis veteran Margaret Court has criticized Serena Williams, accusing her in a rare interview of lacking respect for her.
Court, who is 80 years old, owns the record for most Grand Slam singles titles with 24 — one more than Williams, who on Saturday played what she announced would be her final match.
Williams was asked about the possibility of tying Court’s Grand Slam record before retiring last month. Williams responded, “I’ve already broken the record,” seemingly oblivious to Court’s greater number of championships.
Court won 13 of her 24 wins prior to the start of the Open era in 1968.
“As a player, I’ve always idolized Serena,” Court told The Daily Telegraph.
“But I don’t think she has ever admired me.”
“I wish I could have played during this era. I believe it is so much simpler,” she continued. “How I wish I could have brought family or friends along. But I was unable. I was required to travel alone or with the national team. People do not see everything.
“There were no psychologists or coaches present. This is an entirely different planet. It dissatisfies me that modern players disregard the history of the game.
The Australian also criticized Williams for failing to congratulate her opponent, Ajla Tomljanovic, after the conclusion of her final match.
Williams stated after losing to Tomljanovic in the fourth round of the US Open, “I tried, but Ajla played a bit better.”
Court stated, “I thought it was unfortunate that Williams did not name her opponent more often when she talked.” “We were instructed to behave as role models for the young.
“We were instructed to respect our opponent. You grew from your failures. We shown mutual regard.”
The tennis player Serena Williams.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to criticizing Williams, Court also discussed being shunned by the tennis community.
Court is an Australian preacher who has previously opposed same-sex marriage and referred to transgender children as “the work of the devil.”
She has also lauded the apartheid-era South African government, which imposed racial segregation and rendered black people legally subordinate to whites.
Many inside the sport, including Tennis Australia, have criticized her remarks, and there have been significant calls from tennis fans for Melbourne Park’s Margaret Court Arena to be renamed.
“It’s quite unfortunate that the press and television do not want to highlight my name today, especially in tennis,” she remarked.
“Only when absolutely necessary, because I still hold so many records.”
She said, “I believe some are concerned that I may teach the gospel or something.” “However, I simply enjoy helping young folks.
- “I have assisted individuals in overcoming despair and mending damaged lives. There are many persons in athletics who require assistance. But in sports, it appears that they are afraid of Christians. How sad.”