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Margaret Court cops brutal sledge in Serena Williams' win at US Open

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor

Billie Jean King has seemingly taken a swipe at Margaret Court during Serena Williams’ semi-final victory at the US Open.

Williams earned herself a fourth shot at equalling Court's all-time record of 24 grand slam singles crowns with a steely win over Elina Svitolina on Thursday.

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Bidding to become the oldest major champion in tennis history, Williams advanced to her 10th Flushing Meadows final with a 6-3 6-1 victory over the Ukrainian world No.5.

During the match, King was asked about the prospect of Serena equalling - and possibly breaking - Court’s record.

Billie Jean King and Margaret Court, pictured here at the US Open and Australian Open.
Billie Jean King took aim at Margaret Court. Image: Getty

King said she was ‘praying’ that Serena wins the US Open and then breaks Court’s record on the Aussie’s home turf.

“It would be great if she won this and then went to Australia and won 25 there,” King told ESPN. “That’s my prayer.”

Social media immediately went into overdrive, believing King’s comments were a direct shot at Court.

King has publicly condemned Court in the past over her controversial stance on same-sex marriage and similar issues.

She’s previously called on Australian tennis officials to change the name of Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park.

Court also caused a furore in 2017 by telling a Christian radio station that transgender children were corrupted by "the devil" and that tennis was "full of lesbians".

"I personally don't think she should have her name (on it) any more," King said last year.

"I was fine until lately she said so many derogatory things ... That really went deep in my heart and soul."

Serena eyes off more history

Serena succumbed to Naomi Osaka in last year's drama-charged US Open decider, in which Williams received a game penalty deep that precipitated an extraordinary second-set meltdown, and lost the 2018 and 2019 Wimbledon finals to Angelique Kerber and Simon Halep respectively.

There was never a hint of the six-times champion ever losing focus against Svitolina.

Williams jumped out to a 3-0 lead before taking the opening set in 41 minutes.

The match was all but over after the eighth seed secured a double break in the second set, then closed it out after one hour and 10 minutes to qualify for a record 33rd grand slam singles final.

Serena Williams, pictured here after her win at the US Open.
Serena Williams celebrates her victory. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Williams' 101st victory at Flushing Meadows also matched fellow American Chris Evert's record for most US Open match wins.

"It's impressive to be in any club with Chrissie. It's just really awesome," Williams said after belting 34 winners to Svitolina's 11 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In reaching the Open final three days shy of 20 years since landing her maiden major in New York in 1999, Williams also removed her younger sister Venus from a page in the history books.

The seemingly ageless champion now holds the mark for largest gap between their first and most recent grand slam final appearances - exceeding the 19 years and 12 days that Venus waited between the 1997 US final and 2017 Wimbledon climax.

"I don't think about it," Williams said.

"I just come out here and do what I can."

with agencies