Twelve-times Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King said on Friday that Margaret Court's name should be stripped from the Australian Open show-court due to her divisive views on sexuality. American King's comments follow a report in the New York Times on Thursday in which Martina Navratilova said she would refuse to play on Margaret Court Arena if still competing. Also read Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal get easy opponents in Australian Open drawBut she had recently changed her mind after a number of controversial comments by Court, who won the Australian Open 11 times between 1960 and 1973. King said she would not encourage players to boycott matches in the show-court over Court's views, however. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said there had been "conversations" about changing the name of the stadium but added there were no plans to do so.

Source: dna January 12, 2018 07:30 UTC