John McEnroe SCREEN GRAB from Instagram/@barclayscenter
Tennis icon John McEnroe further ignited the flames of his recent beef with Serena Williams by refusing to apologize for his earlier statements.
The 58-year-old legend, who’s best known for his temperamental outbursts during his playing days, recently earned the ire of netizens for claiming that Williams would be ranked “like 700 in the world” if she played in the men’s circuit.
McEnroe had the opportunity to express contrition during a guesting at the CBS’ “This Morning” show.
“Would you like to apologize?” the program’s co-host Norah O’Donnell asked McEnroe on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), as relayed by Bleacher Report.
“No,” he replied. “It was not necessary. I didn’t know it would create controversy.”
The four-time US Open singles winner added that the issue was blown out of proportion, more than it should have.
“I respect Serena very much so and I was simply calling her on NPR—which supposedly this is where you can say it like it is and you’re gonna get honest feedback,” he said. “She’s the greatest player, female player, that’s ever lived.”
Williams, on the other hand, earned the support of netizens for her dignified response to McEnroe’s criticism. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
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