Image: Screen grab via Instagram/@serenawilliams
Retired tennis player John McEnroe, considered one of the best ever to play the game, singled out Serena Williams as the greatest female player of all time.
But against professional male tennis players, he claimed she wouldn’t stand a chance, and would place “like 700 in the world.”
McEnroe gave the statement to NPR, in an interview in line with the release of his memoir “You Cannot Be Serious”.
Williams lobbed back with a gracious response on Twitter:
Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017
I’ve never played anyone ranked “there” nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I’m trying to have a baby. Good day sir
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017
Netizens have since taken to Twitter to get behind the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time):
Fact: Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time. Yes, she’s greater than Roger and Rafa. Accepting that won’t kill you. pic.twitter.com/MmO6o4DIJG
— King Quenchi (@MrQuenchiAdams) June 26, 2017
Let John McEnroe win a major while he is literally creating new human life inside his evil body and then he can talk about Serena Williams. https://t.co/kRVjMYJee8
— 💜🏳️🌈 ♿️✡️ Amadi (@amaditalks) June 26, 2017
He apparently can’t generate this kind of press on his own or by positive, uplifting means. He doesn’t deserve an ounce of Serena’s shine.
— Fiyah💜Angelou (@SweetKixx) June 27, 2017
LOOK, SERENA WILLIAMS IS THE GOAT. SHE’S THE FACE OF TENNIS FOR BOTH SEXES. DEAL WITH IT pic.twitter.com/guMcHgWe52
— Cthulhu’s Prodigy (@CthulhusProdigy) June 26, 2017
Interesting to see where he would have been today in the ladies’ ranking, considering his second serve…
— Stefan Georgiev (@SteffiGeorgiev) June 26, 2017
Canadian rugby player Jen Kish also spoke up:
I can’t get over how insulting this quote is to not only @serenawilliams but to every female athlete. Strongly disagree #GFY 😠🖕😠 pic.twitter.com/sqFltLjrj9
— Jen kish (@jen_kish) June 26, 2017
There were heated debates as well, with some defending McEnroe’s statements and pointing out that there are reasons why men and women are divided in sports:
But any male pro would crush her. You may not like it, but it’s still true. There are differences between the genders.
— Jason Faris (@quantummechbook) June 26, 2017
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@serenawilliams
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@serenawilliams
Battle-of-the-sexes or none, it doesn’t detract that some athletes’ achievements tend to be downplayed because they are women.
For instance, when a BBC reporter told Andy Murray last 2016 that he was the first person to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in tennis, he mentioned that Williams and her sister Venus already had four each.
After a Wimbledon match last 2016, Williams was asked in a press conference what she thought about being called “one of the greatest female athletes of all time.”
Her response: “I prefer… ‘one of the greatest athletes of all time.’” JB
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