Tennis Prose




Dec/20

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Biofile Margaret Court Interview

By Scoop Malinowski

Status: The all-time leader in Grand Slam titles with 64 – 24 in singles, 19 doubles and 21 mixed doubles Grand Slams. Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979.

DOB: July 16, 1942 In: Albury, New South Wales, Australia

First Tennis Memory: My first memorable win was the 1960 Australian Open women’s singles in which first prize was an umbrella.

Tennis Inspirations: My coaches were always a great inspiration to me.

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: Frank Sedgman came to Albury, New South Wales and as a young girl he watched me play. This encounter would prove life-changing for me.

Greatest Moment Of Career: Women’s singles Grand Slam 1970 – Australian, French, Wimbledon, US Championship. (Defeated Kerry Melville-Reid, Helga Niessen-Masthoff, Billie Jean King, Rosemary Casals, respectively.)

Most Painful Moment: Losing in the first round of Wimbledon in 1962 as no. 1 seed (actually second round after first round bye – to Billie Jean Moffit 61 36 57 – it was the first time in Grand Slam history a top seed lost her opening match).

Favorite Tournaments: Australian.

Which Match(es) Did You Feel At Your Very Best: 1970 Wimbledon women’s singles (won the final vs King 14-12 11-9).

Funniest Player Encountered: Ken Fletcher.

Closest Tennis Friends: Nancy Richey USA, Pat Pretorious South Africa.

Why Do You Love Tennis: I saw tennis as a real gift from God. I loved the outdoors and really loved to work hard and achieve goals. Tennis gave me so much, especially the opportunity to represent Australia. I loved playing for my nation.

Strangest Match: Bobby Riggs match (1973 Battle of the Sexes match in Ramona, CA, a 62 61 defeat).

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: Once playing on Center Court at Wimbledon, the elastic broke on my pants, which added a new challenge to the game.

Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: Running.

Favorite Athletes You Like To Watch: Roger Federer.

Last Book Read: Bible. Always reading it.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla.

Fiercest Competitor Encountered: Billie Jean King.

People Qualities Most Admired: Honesty. Integrity. Love. Family.

Career Accomplishments: Only player to win the Grand Slam box set of singles/doubles/mixed two times; 210-23 record at Grand Slams (90.12% win percentage); Won Fed Cup four times for Australia; Tied for most Grand Slams won as a mom with Kim Clijsters (3); Show court one at Australian Open was renamed “Margaret Court Arena” in 2003; Final pro match was a win vs Greer Stevens in 3R at Virginia Slims Championship Detroit in 1977, 57 76 63 (defaulted QF to Francoise Durr after learning she was pregnant with her fourth child).

Highlights of Court vs King 1970 Wimbledon final

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5 comments

  • britbox · December 22, 2020 at 10:30 am

    Legend of tennis. Legend of life. Margaret Court’s foundation has fed over half a million meals to the homeless of Western Australia. When it comes to the philanthropy of human needs (i.e. Food/Shelter > Vaccines/Forced Medication) we have somebody to be saluted.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 22, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    britboz, welcome back been a long time from seeing your name around here. Margaret Court is the ultimate legend in not only tennis but all sports. Her achievements are awe inspiring. And her positive work post career are even more impressive. It’s a great injustice that she is criticized or discredited for standing up for her religious beliefs. I saw McEnroe and Roddick try to discredit her and it’s absolutely reprehensible. One of the most disgusting things I ever witnessed in pro tennis was when McEnroe and Navratilova tried to get her name removed from Margaret Court Arena.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 25, 2020 at 8:35 am

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

  • Sam · January 8, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    This is very cool, Scoop!! I haven’t been visiting any tennis sites regularly, so I didn’t know when your biofile with Court would actually get published. I also recognize the name “britbox” from JohnnyTD’s Web site.

    You must feel really good about having landed this interview. By the way, did you actually get to speak with Court on the phone, or was this all done through e-mail?

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 9, 2021 at 8:29 am

    Sam thank you, we did it be sending email questions. I have done quite a few Biofiles this way, sometimes they come out longer and more elaborate than certain subjects I talk to face to face. The Lord works in mysterious ways. I would have never gotten this Biofile were it not for a chance meeting from an Australian woman looking for a tennis lesson, who is friends with the Court family.

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