WA tennis legend Margaret Court has delivered a backhand to US fashion icon Anna Wintour, accusing her of intolerance.

The American Vogue editor-in-chief’s trademark sunglasses were off as she used a keynote address for the Australian Open’s Inspirational Series to throw shade at Court, backing the push to have Margaret Court Arena renamed in a rejection of her stance on gay rights.

Court, a Christian minister, said she was disappointed that Wintour was unable to tolerate views that were not in line with her own.

“The saddest thing is someone coming from America and telling us in this nation what to do,” Court told The West Australian.

“I’ve loved my nation, played for my nation. There’s probably no one who has been more supportive of, or spoke more highly of, the game of tennis.”

Camera Icon Margaret Court at the Victory Life Church in Osborne Park. Credit: Megan Powell .

Court was a controversial figure during the same-sex marriage debate, repeatedly making headlines for being vocal against legislating for marriage equality.

She has stirred controversy by blaming the devil for people being transgender and declaring that tennis is “full of lesbians” trying to bring younger players under their influence with “parties and things”.

Wintour said that while Court was a “champion on the court”, an arena that served as a meeting point for tennis players from all “nations, preferences and backgrounds” should celebrate someone who was a champion off the court as well.

“I find that it is inconsistent for the sport for Margaret Court’s name to be on the stadium that does so much to bring all people together across their differences,” Wintour said.

“This much I think is clear to anyone who understands the spirit and the joy of the game. Intolerance has no place in tennis.”

Camera Icon Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at the tennis. Credit: Getty Images

In a wide-ranging speech, Wintour spoke of powerful women in sport and life.

“I have admired the way you support your women, especially in sport,” she said.

“It is clear why this is the home of Stephanie Gilmore, Samantha Kerr and Evonne Goolagong Cawley and why those women have done so much work beyond training to use their platforms to bring about change.

“When you wore your blue ribbons for refugees, many of us in the US cheered you on. When Australia passed same-sex marriage a couple of years ago, the world sang in celebration with you.”

Wintour also criticised Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his previous ambiguity on the issue of religious schools being able to expel LGBTI students.

“Like many of you I have been alarmed by your Prime Minister’s record on LGBTQ rights, which seems backward in all senses,” she said.

“That no one can be expelled from school for their orientation, should not require clarification.

“A government should protect its people — not make it unclear whether they will be accepted. We are struggling with these issues in the United States as well.”

Despite his initial reluctance to enter the debate about whether religious exemptions should be removed, Mr Morrison pledged in October to strip religious schools of the right to expel students on the basis of their sexuality.

The changes are yet to pass Parliament.