(Reuters) – Andy Murray thinks the Australian Open ought to contemplate eradicating Margaret Court docket’s identify from the world at Melbourne Park as he says the a number of Grand Slam champion’s values are at odds with what tennis stands for.

The 78-year-old Court docket, who holds the all-time document of 24 main singles titles, has been closely criticised for voicing her religious-based opposition to same-sex marriage and transgender athletes.

“Whenever you get to the Australian Open you wish to think about the tennis. Court docket’s views detract from that,” Murray, a five-times finalist at Melbourne Park, advised pridelife.com https://pridelife.com/options/andy-murray-grand-slam-hunk/?fbclid=IwAR1ErWWTx2A4mbWurYtSRXPciAsw4LyJE0cykxRaA1gwez6WigijTt8r9Z8.

“So far as renaming the venue … sure, it is one thing the game ought to contemplate. I do not know who makes the ultimate choice on that however I do not assume her values are what tennis stands for.”

Tennis Australia invited Court docket to Melbourne Park at this 12 months’s event to recognise the 50th anniversary of her 1970 calendar Grand Slam, whereas saying it disagreed along with her “private views”.

In a low-key ceremony at Rod Laver Enviornment earlier than a quarter-final match, Court docket was handed a reproduction trophy by 11-times Grand Slam champion Rod Laver following the screening of a brief video of her tennis achievements.

Murray, a three-times Grand Slam champion and former world primary, mentioned she had acquired a lukewarm reception from the general public.

“She has clearly offended and upset lots of people through the years,” he added. “I feel the gamers definitely have spoken up, which is a constructive factor.”

Tennis greats Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe had additionally referred to as for Court docket’s identify to be stripped from the stadium.

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Modifying by Peter Rutherford)