Margaret Court’s nephew claims people knocked on his door and attacked children at his junior tennis academy following his aunt’s controversial comments about same-sex marriage.
Court, one of the greatest tennis players in the world of her time, provoked controversy when she expressed opposition to same-sex marriagewhich, according to her, went against what is written in the Bible.
The 74-year-old later told a Christian radio station that transgender children were the work of the “devil” and made comparisons between the gay community and Hitler.
Phil Shanahan, his nephew, runs the Margaret Court Tennis Academy based in Albury-Wodonga, on the border of NSW and Victoria. Around 400 children participate.
Mr Shanahan told ABC Victoria Statewide Drive that people had targeted his house, “knocking” on his door several times.
He also said people from around the world had written abusive emails and comments on the academy’s website and social media pages.
He said he was concerned about the impact of the attacks on the children in the program, some as young as 11 years old.
“Some of these explicit messages somehow made it onto their pages, which is just not fair to the kids,” he said.
“A few young players have achieved great things over the last month and seeing people bombard their page with the most horrible comments has been really disappointing.
“I’m just disappointed that our website, our Facebook page, which is just for kids at the academy, has been (targeted).
“They (the children) ask big questions. They’re all wearing Margaret Court tracksuits, they’re getting comments in public. You just have to leave the kids alone.“
He said his family had been feeling “nervous” for the past week.
“My family, people knocking on my door in the middle of the night, it’s been disappointing. I just want to move on,” he said.
“Think before you put your hand on the keyboard.”
He said he spoke to police but wasn’t sure if he wanted to pursue the matter further.
The Court “would likely withdraw these comments”
Mr. Shanahan said the Court was entitled to his views on same-sex marriage, but understood why his comments were so controversial and upsetting.
“I’ve spoken to Margaret, I think if she had the opportunity to retract those remarks she probably would,” he said.
“It upsets people and it upsets us. I have fabulous gay friends and I love them with all my heart, we have people who work in association with our academy who are gay and love them.”
Mr Shanahan would not say whether he himself supported same-sex marriage, but said a plebiscite or conscience vote by MPs was needed to end the debate.
“Marg says that’s what the Bible says and being a pastor, she believes it and is committed to it,” he said.
“I just wish our government, at the highest level, would address this issue because I don’t want to see our nation divided. It’s divisive in terms of what it does to people.“
“Some of the things that have been written have been quite disappointing, it’s ugly.”
Mr Shanahan said he established the academy in her name in 2001 to honor her distinguished tennis career.
“She’s one of the nicest women I know,” he said.
“She has an incredible heart, but she has opinions on same-sex marriage, which a portion of people disagree with and it’s sad because, like I said, I have wonderful gay friends, it’s a difficult issue and it would be great if it was resolved one way or another.”
