Justin Langer act for Margaret Court comes to light after home invasion
The Aussie cricket and tennis worlds came together after a scary incident on Australia Day in Perth.
Details have emerged about how Justin Langer disturbed intruders who had broken into the house of neighbour and Australian tennis champion Margaret Court. The 80-year-old Court was the victim of a home invasion in City Beach, Perth on Australia Day.
Police said two men had been apprehended. “It will be alleged about 8pm, two men gained access to the premises via the front entrance door,” WA Police said. “Once inside, it will be further alleged the accused rummaged through the victim’s property and stole a number of items including awards, medals and jewellery. A number of the items were located in nearby bushland and gardens.”
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According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the intruders were disturbed by a number of Court's neighbours - including Aussie cricket great Langer. The former national team coach confirmed to the publication that he'd been neighbours with Court for two decades and saw the alleged burglars leaving her property.
Court and her husband Barry weren't at home at the time of the home invasion. They were reportedly on holidays over Australia Day weekend but saw the intruders on cameras.
"It's never comfortable, it's not nice," Court told Channel 9. "I think I saw them right away on the little screen at the front door. Police got right onto it, they were awesome.
"(The items) were all returned, the police did a wonderful, wonderful job. All is good, all is fine, I pray for the young guys, I pray they come to know Christ."
Margaret Court's glaring absence from Australian Open
Court, who holds the record for most grand slam titles in tennis history with 24, would normally be at the Australian Open in January. However her appearances have been few and far between in recent years due to her controversial views on religion and same-sex marriage.
The 80-year-old hasn't been sighted at Melbourne Park since 2020 - when she was honoured in a special ceremony to mark the 50-year anniversary of her 'grand slam' when she won all four majors in 1970. It looks like it could be the last time she shows her face at the Australian Open.
This year Tennis Australia introduced a Pride Day to celebrate inclusivity in the sport, while also bringing in a 'pride hub' and 'all gender' toilets around Melbourne Park. The grand slam also held the 'Glam Slam' event from January 25-27 to celebrate the LGBTI+ community.
After skipping the Australian Open in 2018, Court described same-sex marriage as a 'trend'. “I think there will be a price to pay for it in the future in the nation and people will see it’s not about marriage,” she told the Herald Sun at the time. “There will be a genderless generation. My thing was a marriage is between a man and a woman.”
Tennis Australia has resisted calls to rename Margaret Court Arena to something less controversial, but it's hard to see her ever making an appearance at the Australian Open again. Among her more infamous comments over the years, Court previously stated “it’s very sad for children to be exposed to homosexuality”, while also praising South Africa's Apartheid regime.
She previously accused 'lesbians' of ruining women’s tennis, while also boycotting Qantas due to the airline's support of gay marriage. During Pride Day at the Australian Open, British player Laura Robson described some of Court's comments as 'inexcusable'.
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