Margaret Court Interview

[britbox]

OK, I wouldn't normally post WTA stuff in the ATP forum, but am aware some people got directly to this board and bypass other boards so thought it was worth sharing here...

The great Margaret Court has very kindly agreed to an interview with the Tennis Frontier.

Margaret is one of the greatest players to ever pick up a racquet and leads the ladies grand slam winning count with 24 majors.

If you would like to submit a question for Margaret, please add them in this thread...

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1967&pid=79422#pid79422

 

[Moxie]

Tennis Channel ran a piece on her just last evening. It was a good reminder of her amazing achievements. Among them, she was the first "modern" mother (their words, not sure who came before,) to win a Major. She'd retired and come back, and in 1970 won the Calendar Slam. They also mentioned she has the box set. I'll do a little more background reading and have some questions for you.

 

[lacatch]

You might want to ask whether her views towards gays have evolved. Here's a statement she made before the Australian Open a couple of years ago:

"There is no reason to put forward alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions as some form of substitute."

 

[Moxie]

You might want to ask whether her views towards gays have evolved. Here's a statement she made before the Australian Open a couple of years ago:

"There is no reason to put forward alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions as some form of substitute."

She made a strong statement on the issue just two years ago. Fair game to ask if she's evolved her opinion. Especially since her main rival was Billie Jean King. I think britbox gets to decide how controversial he'll go.

 

[shawnbm]

She is an evangelical Protestant minister now, and her views on gays (which is common parlance for sexually active homosexuals self-identify as such) are consistent with most Protestant views on the subject. There are lots of things to discuss, but all any news outlet appears to wish discuss each and every day is the gay lifestyle and what it wishes for all to accept. How about a tennis question like--who was tougher for you on court, Billie Jean Moffit nka King or Gibson? What does she think of the rise of hard courts since her heyday?

 

[tented]

She is an evangelical Protestant minister now, and her views on gays (which is common parlance for sexually active homosexuals self-identify as such) are consistent with most Protestant views on the subject. There are lots of things to discuss, but all any news outlet appears to wish discuss each and every day is the gay lifestyle and what it wishes for all to accept. How about a tennis question like--who was tougher for you on court, Billie Jean Moffit nka King or Gibson? What does she think of the rise of hard courts since her heyday?

Gay rights is the leading civil rights issue of the 21st century, hence its presence in so many media outlets, but I agree that it shouldn't be the focus of a Margaret Court interview for Tennis Frontier.

 

[shawnbm]

I'm glad we agree on the tennis being the question. As for this being civil rights issue of the new century, that is a fair topic elsewhere in another forum. It certainly is keeping lots of folks in media busy 24/7, but we can discuss there whether that should be so.

 

[Riotbeard]

I think it would be interesting to ask about the gay rights issue in relation to billie jean king. Seems relevant to me, because her main rival was gay, and is kind an important spokesperson on that issue. I don't mean we should have a debate with her, but a relevant question about her relationship with billie jean king and the sexuality issue could be quite interesting.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I would ask her about her memories of the Bobby Riggs matches. If she took them seriously or were they really necessary at all?

 

[Haelfix]

I think it would be interesting to ask about the gay rights issue in relation to billie jean king. Seems relevant to me, because her main rival was gay, and is kind an important spokesperson on that issue. I don't mean we should have a debate with her, but a relevant question about her relationship with billie jean king and the sexuality issue could be quite interesting.

Honestly no. I don't really about sports stars or celebrities opinions about politics or social causes, particularly when they are likely obvious answers. Keep to the sports and let these people believe whatever they want to believe, I don't see that it's our business and in the modern world probably just a hook for a legion of trolls/activists/social media opinion makers to distort or blow things out of proportion. This site shoukd maintain professionalism, it will ultimately pay off.

 

[Haelfix]

I'd ask her about what she thinks are the major differences in how the women's game is played today and her time, and if she still thinks that she'd be able to compete with the power players if shed been born in this era.

 

[Ricardo]

You might want to ask whether her views towards gays have evolved. Here's a statement she made before the Australian Open a couple of years ago:

"There is no reason to put forward alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions as some form of substitute."

she is entitled to her opinion, however it's non tennis related so should not be included.... or we might as well ask tennis players about dog rights, cat rights and so on :snigger

 

[britbox]

^ I won't be asking questions on her thoughts regarding issues on sexuality. It's a tennis interview.

 

[nehmeth]

I'd ask her this:

With the strength and depth of the ground game today, what does she believe are the chances of a true S&V style player to succeed on tour? How would she see them go about doing it?

I also like the topic shawnbm suggested about her thoughts on the transition of tennis from predominantly natural surfaces to hard courts... follow up questions such as - if her career would have lasted as long on concrete, and how much different the game would have been?

Thanks britbox.

 

[britbox]

Last call for questions... I'll be firing them over on Monday

 

[Fiero425]

Last call for questions... I'll be firing them over on Monday

What is Court's opinion of Martina now that she's had time to reflect on her past comments concerning the true G.O.A.T.?

 

[Kieran]

And maybe ask if she has any involvement with pro tennis, and was she invited to help in any programs by the Oz tennis authorities since she retired? It's not uncommon for ex-pros to have their own tennis camps too.

Cheers, buddy!

 

[Kieran]

^^ Also, would she recommend the life of a tennis pro to a youngster?

 

[britbox]

Questions sent. Thanks for the contributions.