Margaret Court holds a record that no tennis player — man or woman — has matched: 24 Grand Slam singles titles. It’s a number that sits at the center of a decades-long debate about how we measure greatness, all the more charged since Serena Williams retired just one short.
Grand Slam singles titles: 24 · Grand Slam mixed doubles titles: 21 · Grand Slam women’s doubles titles: 19 · Career Grand Slam (all surfaces): Yes · Years active: 1960–1975 · World No. 1 ranking: Yes
Quick snapshot
- 24 Grand Slam singles titles — all-time record (Tennis.com (tennis authority))
- 64 total major titles across singles, doubles, mixed doubles (Tennis.com)
- Christian pastor in Perth, Australia (The Telegraph (UK news outlet))
- Exact net worth not publicly verified (Tennis.com)
- 1970: Won all four Grand Slam singles titles in a calendar year (Tennis.com)
- 2017: Commented that Serena Williams played in a “much easier” era (Tennis.com)
- Debate over all-time vs Open Era titles continues (Tennis.com)
- Margaret Court Arena remains a focal point for protests and support (The Telegraph)
Key facts about Margaret Court’s life and career are summarized below.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Margaret Smith Court |
| Born | 16 July 1942, Albury, Australia |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 24 |
| Grand Slam doubles titles | 19 women’s, 21 mixed |
| Spouse | Barry Court (m. 1967) |
| Children | 4 |
| Current occupation | Christian pastor |
What did Margaret Court say about Serena Williams?
Margaret Court’s comment on Serena Williams’ era
- In a 2017 interview, Court said Williams played in a “much easier” era compared to her own competition (Tennis.com (tennis authority)).
- Court later told The Telegraph (UK news outlet) in 2022 that she “admires” Serena Williams, framing her earlier remarks as misinterpreted.
Serena Williams’ response to Margaret Court
- Williams has not directly engaged with Court’s era criticism but has stated her own achievements speak for themselves, including 23 Open Era singles titles (Tennis.com).
- A Sky News segment claimed Williams considers she has “already broken” Court’s record, though she never surpassed 24 singles titles (Sky News via YouTube (news coverage)).
Court’s 24 titles are all-time; Williams’ 23 are the Open Era record. The distinction often gets blurred in public debate.
The implication: The era debate often overshadows the statistical fact that Court leads in raw singles majors, while Williams is widely seen as the greatest of the modern era.
Is Margaret Court the best tennis player of all time?
Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record
- Court’s 24 singles majors span both the amateur era (pre-1968) and the Open era (Tennis.com).
- She won 11 of those at the Australian Championships/Open, five at Roland Garros, three at Wimbledon, and five at the US Championships/Open (Tennis.com).
A direct comparison of key metrics between Margaret Court and Serena Williams shows where each holds an edge.
| Metric | Margaret Court | Serena Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam singles titles | 24 | 23 |
| Open Era singles titles | 13 | 23 |
| Total major titles (all disciplines) | 64 | 39 |
| Calendar-year Grand Slam | Yes (1970) | No |
| Career Grand Slam on all surfaces | Yes | Yes |
| World No. 1 ranking | Yes | Yes |
| Years active | 1960–1975 | 1995–2022 |
Comparison with other tennis greats
Seven women have won 10 or more singles majors. Court leads, followed by Serena Williams (23), Steffi Graf (22), Helen Wills Moody (19), Chris Evert (18), Martina Navratilova (18), and Billie Jean King (12). Court is also one of only three women to win singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at every Grand Slam event (Tennis.com). Other Australian sports figures such as the Australia Women’s Cricket Team and Hazem El Masri have also set records in their respective fields.
Arguments for and against her GOAT status
- For: Most singles majors, calendar-year Grand Slam (1970), career Grand Slam on all surfaces (Tennis.com).
- Against: 11 of 24 titles came at her home major in Australia; many opponents were amateurs; lower prize money and smaller draws in the 1960s (Talk Tennis forum (fan discussion)).
Statistically, Court’s 24 singles titles are unmatched. But the modern game’s depth and professionalism make direct comparisons inherently unfair.
What does Margaret Court do now?
Margaret Court’s current profession
- Court is a Christian pastor at Victory Life Centre in Perth, a role she has held since being ordained in 1991 (The Telegraph).
- She remains involved in tennis through occasional ceremonial appearances, though her public engagements have declined (The Telegraph).
Her role as a pastor
Court has used her platform as a pastor to speak out on social issues, including her opposition to same-sex marriage, which led to boycotts and calls to rename Margaret Court Arena (The Telegraph).
Public appearances and controversies
- In 2020, Tennis Australia reaffirmed the naming of Margaret Court Arena despite protests over her views (The Telegraph).
- Court has largely avoided the tennis spotlight, but her legacy remains a flashpoint in discussions about inclusion and sport.
The pattern: Court’s post-tennis life has turned her into a symbolic figure — celebrated by traditionalists, criticized by progressives — and the tension shows no sign of easing.
How many Grand Slams did Margaret Court win?
Breakdown of Court’s Grand Slam titles
Court’s 64 major titles break down as:
- Women’s singles: 24 (Tennis.com)
- Women’s doubles: 19 (Tennis.com)
- Mixed doubles: 21 (Tennis.com)
Comparison with Serena Williams and other players
Serena Williams finished with 23 singles titles, the Open Era record, and 14 women’s doubles majors. When all disciplines are combined, Court’s 64 major titles far exceed any other woman’s total. However, many analysts argue that doubles and mixed doubles titles should not be weighted equally with singles (Talk Tennis forum).
Count all majors and Court is far ahead. Count only singles and the gap is one. Choose your metric and the narrative flips.
Why this matters: The 24 vs. 23 headline obscures the fact that Court also dominated doubles — a dimension of her career often ignored in modern comparisons.
What is Margaret Court’s net worth and family life?
Margaret Court net worth
Court’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates from tennis career earnings and her ministry work are speculative (Tennis.com). The lack of verified figures makes any precise number unreliable.
Margaret Court children
Court has four children with her husband, Barry Court. The family has largely stayed out of the public eye, though one daughter, Emma, has occasionally spoken about her mother’s legacy.
Margaret Court husband
Barry Court married Margaret in 1967, and the couple has been together for over 55 years. Barry is a former Australian rules footballer and has supported Margaret’s pastoral work.
The gap: Unlike many modern athletes, Court’s financial and family details remain private — a reflection of her era and personal preference for discretion.
Timeline: Margaret Court’s career and controversies
- 1942 – Margaret Smith born in Albury, Australia. (The Telegraph)
- 1960 – Wins first Australian Open singles title (Tennis.com).
- 1970 – Wins all four Grand Slam singles titles in a calendar year (Tennis.com).
- 1973 – Wins 24th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open (Tennis.com).
- 1975 – Retires from professional tennis. (The Telegraph)
- 1991 – Ordained as a Christian pastor (The Telegraph).
- 2017 – Comments that Serena Williams played in a “much easier” era (Tennis.com).
- 2020 – Margaret Court Arena named in her honor; controversy over her LGBTQ+ views erupts (The Telegraph).
The timeline shows a sharp pivot: from tennis dominance to religious leadership to cultural flashpoint — a career that continues to generate debate decades after her last match.
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- 24 Grand Slam singles titles – all-time record (Tennis.com)
- 64 major titles overall (Tennis.com)
- Calendar-year Grand Slam in 1970 (Tennis.com)
- Christian pastor in Perth (The Telegraph)
- Made comments about Serena Williams’ era in 2017 (Tennis.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth – no verified public figure
- Whether she will attend future tennis events – uncertain
- Her personal views on current tennis debates beyond 2017 – not documented
“I admire Serena Williams.”
Margaret Court, in a 2022 interview with The Telegraph
“Court said Williams played in a ‘much easier’ era, a statement that continues to fuel debate over how to compare champions across different generations.”
Tennis.com, reporting on the 2017 interview (Tennis.com (tennis authority))
Margaret Court’s statistical legacy is ironclad: 24 Grand Slam singles titles, a calendar-year Grand Slam, and 64 major championships overall. But her public statements and pastoral activism have made her a divisive figure in the sport she once dominated. For Australian tennis, the choice is clear: celebrate the unmatched numbers while grappling with the cultural distance between 1970 and today, or let the controversy overshadow the achievement entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What is Margaret Court’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly verified. Estimates vary widely and should be treated as speculative.
How many children does Margaret Court have?
She has four children with her husband, Barry Court.
Who is Margaret Court’s husband?
Barry Court, a former Australian rules footballer, married Margaret in 1967.
What is Margaret Court Arena?
A tennis stadium at Melbourne Park, named after Court in 2003. It has been a site of protest over her views on LGBTQ+ issues.
Did Margaret Court win a calendar-year Grand Slam?
Yes, in 1970 she won all four major singles titles in the same year (Tennis.com).
Why is Margaret Court controversial?
Her statements opposing same-sex marriage and criticism of Serena Williams’ era have drawn backlash, leading to calls to rename the arena.
What is Margaret Court’s current job?
She is a Christian pastor at Victory Life Centre in Perth, Australia (The Telegraph).
Noah Foster is Senior Reporter at Australian News Desk, covering breaking stories and explainers.