• Australian Open

Robson walks into equal rights row

Laura Robson and the controversial hairband © AFP

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Laura Robson walked into an ongoing equality row on Monday, as she wore a hairband in support of gay and lesbian rights during her first round defeat at the Australian Open.

Robson, who succumbed in straight sets to Jelena Jankovic, nevertheless made a statement with her rainbow-coloured hairband - colours usually associated with the gay rights movement.

The choice was seen as a criticism of former Australian tennis star Margaret Court - whose name adorns the court on which Robson faced Jankovic - after she caused a stir recently with her strident views on the gay movement.

Protests against Court, a 24-time grand slam champion who won the Australian Open 11 times, was going on outside the Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Park throughout the day.

"It was just a rainbow-coloured hairband," Robson said, when quizzed on the item after her defeat. "I didn't see anything about a protest today. I wore it because I believe in equal rights for everyone. That's it."

Robson confirmed she was aware of Court's remarks, although she was not willing to publicly oppose her.

"I did [know about the comments]," Robson said. "But it was through newspapers and things. I never saw a direct quote from her. So I don't want to comment when I actually haven't spoken to her. I believe in equal rights for everyone - that is why I wore it."

Court, who is now an evangelical Christian pastor, has been widely criticised after making her opinion known on the matter.

"Politically correct education has masterfully escorted homosexuality out from behind closed doors, into the community openly and now is aggressively demanding marriage rights that are not theirs to take," Court was quoted as saying, among other things.

"The fact that the homosexual cry is, 'We can't help it, as we were born this way', as the cause behind their own personal choice is cause for concern."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.