They’re still at it.
Scottish tennis player Andy Murray is the latest to complain about Margaret Court, saying she should not be acknowledged or remembered, because “I don’t think her values are what tennis stands for”.
In his defence of same-sex marriage, Murray has said “Everyone should have, in my opinion… the same rights”. Clearly, he doesn’t think this sentiment should apply to Court, as he attacks her right to her religious beliefs and free speech.
“We need to create a culture where everyone’s voice is heard,” he said, as he called for Court to be silenced and removed from public attention.
“I think as a sport you just have to be as inclusive as possible, and have more diverse people on boards and committees,” he said. But clearly people like Margaret Court should be excluded, in the name of inclusion, of course.
I have news for Andy Murray. Tennis is about sport. It’s about one’s ability to hit a ball across a net within the bounds of a defined area. It’s not about marriage, or religious beliefs, or political affiliation.
Margaret Court wasn’t honoured because of her religious views, or her beliefs about marriage. She is honoured and remembered because she won 24 Grand Slam singles titles (21 more than Murray has), 19 Grand Slam doubles titles, and 21 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. That is still a record.
Murray says Court’s views no longer represent the tennis community. Firstly, the “tennis community” (whatever that is) doesn’t have a unified view on anything except their love of tennis. Secondly, even if it did have a view on an unrelated topic, its not a problem if somebody disagrees with it. Thirdly, millions of people around the world believe in man-woman marriage – is Murray saying they are no longer welcome to play, watch or enjoy tennis? Fourthly, is Murray ok with people denying his achievements in tennis if he holds political views with which they disagree?
Activist sports people should stop trying to turn their sport into political movements. Sport transcends politics and religion. We can enjoy sporting contests and achievements without focusing on, or even knowing, the political or religious beliefs of the sports-people.
Murray, like so many woke activists, says “it’s not anyone else’s business” whether someone is straight or gay, or is in a heterosexual or same-sex marriage, but then goes on to say we need more tennis players coming out as gay, more gay players winning tournaments, more gay members of boards.
If it’s nobody else’s business, Andy, then it’s nobody else’s business.
I can celebrate Martina Navratilova’s excellent tennis record, whilst disagreeing with her views on sexuality, which clearly makes me a much more tolerant person than Andy Murray.
Let sport be sport.
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Grant Vandersee is a former secondary teacher who is now horrified at what is being taught and promoted in schools. A husband and father, political engagement runs in his family with three generations serving in local government. He's been personally involved in party politics for 20 years and is a member of the Liberal National Party. Grant is a staunch advocate for life, family, free speech, individual freedom and religious liberty.
