The former tennis champion Margaret Court has claimed “tennis is full of lesbians” following a row over remarks she made previously about gay marriage. She added that transgender children were the work of “the devil”.

Court’s earlier comments opposing same-sex marriage sparked furious debate about whether the show court named in her honour at Melbourne Park should be changed. However, she said that attempts to remove her name from it were “bullying”.

In an interview with Vision Christian Radio on Wednesday, Court claimed there was a homosexual plot to get into the minds of the nation’s children through Safe Schools.

“Tennis is full of lesbians. Even when I was playing there were only a couple there but those couple that led took young ones into parties,” Court said. “And what you get at the top is often what you’ll get right through that sport.”

She added: “We’re there to help them overcome. We’re not against the people.”

Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King have called for her name to be stripped from the venue at Melbourne Park, comments which Court said were disappointing.

“I think it’s bullying,” she said. “[I’ve got] nothing against homosexuals – as individuals, they can do what they want to do – but my belief as a Christian is marriage the Bible way and I think it’s sad that these people are using that to try to hit below the belt.”

Court, 74, is a senior pastor at Perth’s Victory Life church and has been a critic of homosexuality and same-sex marriage for decades.

The former women’s tennis world No1 won a record 24 grand slam singles titles.

… One can only wonder what her thoughts are over Serena William’s pregnancy out of wedlock.

Culled from The Guardian