Tennis icon Margaret Court is once again speaking out about what she sees as a dramatic shift in culture — particularly in schools — and the impact she believes it is having on children.
According to Fox News, in a recent interview with The Telegraph in the U.K., Court said she is troubled by how many young people are now questioning their gender and, in some cases, gaining access to puberty blockers and other medical treatments at early ages.
“Christian values have been taken out of our schools. Some children don’t even know whether they’re boys or girls any longer,” Court told the outlet.
She reflected on her own childhood, describing herself as a “tomboy” who excelled in sports typically dominated by boys. But even then, she said, she never questioned her sex.
“This is where I get upset, because I look back at my life, and I was such a tomboy when I was young. I played football and cricket, and I beat all the boys doing it. But I still knew I had two brothers who were different from me,” she said.
Court said she is especially troubled by children being offered hormone-related treatments before they are old enough to make major life decisions.
“Now you have children saying, ‘I feel like being a boy.’ Giving them hormone replacement before puberty? They end up trapped in their bodies, and they can’t turn back,” she continued.
“We don’t even allow them to drive until they’re 17. So why would you do that to another human being? What are we doing to our young people? I cry about that.”
Court is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history. She holds 24 Grand Slam singles titles — still the record — along with 64 major titles overall across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Her outspoken views have also drawn criticism over the years, especially regarding same-sex marriage. Court has long maintained that her position is grounded in her faith and her reading of Scripture.
“As a minister, I simply stood up for some values,” she said. “I have nothing against gay people. I just say what the Bible says, ‘A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’”
She acknowledged that her beliefs have cost her public support but said she remains at peace with her choices.
“It can turn people against you. But you know what? When you know the peace of God, when you help people and see their lives change, that’s all that matters,” Court said.
