Out tennis champ Martina Navratilova has condemned another player who is ‘boycotting’ an airline over its support for same-sex marriage.
Margaret Court, a former world number one tennis star, stirred controversy today by announcing a ‘boycott’ of Qantas Airways because of the airline’s support for same-sex marriage.
In a letter to gay Qantas boss Alan Joyce she wrote: “I am disappointed that Qantas has become an active promoter for same-sex marriage. I believe in marriage as a union between a man and a woman as stated in the Bible.
“Your statement leaves me no option but to use other airlines where possible for my extensive travelling.”
One of the world’s best-known tennis players, Martina Navratilova, called out Court’s comments.
The retired Czech-American player, who married longtime girlfriend Julia Lemigova after proposing at the US Open, said Court’s comments had gone “too far”.
She said: “Thank you Qantas for your support. And Margaret – you have gone too far. Shame on you… #wrongsideofhistory”
She added: “Margaret Court has been attacking our LGBT community for decades, this is nothing new. But still.”
Responding to a reply, the tennis legend joked: “Maybe it’s time to change the name of [Melbourne venue] the Margaret Court Arena… and I guess Margaret will be taking the boat on her next trip? :)”
Tennis Australia has declined to explicitly condemn Court’s comments.
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