Tennis great Margaret Court insisted Tuesday she would not give back a high-profile Australian honour after a backlash over her views on the LGBTQ community, claiming she "loves" gay and transgender people.

Tennis great Court vows to keep Aussie award despite backlash

Controversy has erupted after it was reported that tennis great Margaret Court is set to be awarded Australia's highest honour next week. Fans criticised the move because of Court's history of anti-gay views.

Expected Australia Day 2021 honour for Margaret Court stirs controversy

British ace Andy Murray has asked the officials to rename Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena over her controversial anti-gay stance. The three-time Grand Slam winner said: "I don't think her values are what tennis stands for".

British ace Andy Murray calls for renaming of Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena

Tennis legends Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe protested against all-time great Margaret Court for her homophobic views on court at the Australian Open as authorities swiftly clampdown on the raging controversy.

Navratilova, McEnroe row with Margaret Court heats up at Australian Open

Serena Williams won her first title since the 2017 Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic on Sunday but was unable to complete the perfect week in New Zealand when she lost the doubles final.

WTA Auckland Open: Williams breaks three-year title drought to win

Former world number one Steffi Graf has backed Serena Williams to match and even beat Margaret Court's record 24 Grand Slam titles. The 37-year-old Serena has won 23 Grand Slam trophies and is bidding to overtake Court's mark at the ongoing Australian Open.

Steffi Graf backs Serena to surpass Margaret Court's Grand Slam record

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