Award for Court ahead of Australian Open

Australian tennis legend Margaret Court has been honoured in the Australia Day honours list, being made a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC).

Court’s achievements in the sport include being the first woman during tennis’ Open era to complete a singles grand slam, achieved by winning all four major tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – in a calendar year and winning a record number of singles titles, record that stands today.

Court has caused controversy in some circles for her religious beliefs – she has been a pastor at a Pentecostal church in Perth for 25 years ago and has drawn criticism for her opposition to gay marriage.

The award, according to the independent Council of the Order of Australia, is for service as a player and as a mentor to young sportspeople.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Halep seething over Swiatek wrist-slap doping penalty

Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…

3 weeks ago

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

1 month ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

1 month ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

1 month ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

1 month ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

2 months ago