“I won’t be surprised if the 24 it’s beaten... but the 64 i don’t think it ever will be”: Margaret Court stands firm on her place in tennis history

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Margaret Court responded in an interview where she addressed the historical record for Grand Slam trophies and whether she believes anyone will surpass her. Currently, Novak Djokovic has equaled her with 24 major titles, while others came close, such as Serena Williams with 23 or Rafael Nadal and Steffi Graf with 22.

For decades, Court held a record that was practically unique in major tournaments: 11 Australian Open titles (seven of them consecutive), 5 French Opens, 3 Wimbledons, and 5 US Opens.

However, her record is not only in singles, as she also became one of the most effective players in doubles. She achieved a total of 19 women's doubles major titles and another 21 in mixed doubles—giving her a combined total of 64 Grand Slam titles, making her by far the most decorated player in history.

When asked if she believes her record will be surpassed—with Novak Djokovic potentially achieving it during 2026—the veteran Australian legend was emphatic. “The 24, I won’t be surprised if it’s beaten,” she says during an interview with The Telegraph. “But the 64, I don’t think it ever will be. Whatever tennis does,” she insists, “it can never take away what I’ve done.”

The Australian’s legacy, however, has been partly overshadowed due to her personal beliefs. Court is recognized for her Pentecostal faith, serving as a minister in the same church. Her conservative opinions have earned her criticism several times due to allegedly homophobic or transphobic comments made in the past.

The legendary Australian—currently 84 years old—gave an interview where she commented on the controversies in her country. In a radio interview a few years ago, Court criticized the Australian government for promoting 'gender diversity' and also criticized former Prime Minister Tony Abbott as 'the devil'. The former tennis player’s comments quickly spread, and for many, the idea that "Court calls trans kids the work of the devil" was established.

“I didn’t say that. I was answering about something else. I was a bit hurt, because then people formed opinions on the back of that,” Court explained in her interview with The Telegraph.

There have even been initiatives for some years to remove her name from the Melbourne Stadium—where the Australian Open is played—and name it after Evonne Goolagong, the 7-time Australian major champion, instead.

The former World No. 1 has faced significant opposition in Australia, especially when the issue of same-sex couples' right to marry was being debated in the country—culminating in a 2017 plebiscite that validated it with 62% Australian approval. “As a minister, I simply stood up for some values. 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.’ Jesus said that in the gospels. I was brought up with this, and I haven’t changed.

“Christian values have been taken out of our schools. Some children don’t even know whether they’re boys or girls any longer. 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. 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. 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.”