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Home · Celebrity

Serena Williams Fires Back At John McEnroe After Sexist Comments

McEnroe recently refused to call Williams one of the greatest tennis player ever because he doesn't believe she'd rank as high on the men's circuit.
Serena Williams Fires Back At John McEnroe After Sexist Comments
getty images
By Sydney Scott · Updated October 26, 2020

Please put some respect on Serena Williams’ name!

The tennis star has fired back at fellow player John McEnroe, who recently decline to call Williams one of the greats.

During an interview with NPR, McEnroe said, “Best female player ever — no question.” However, he went on to say that Williams would not qualify as the best player ever because “if she played the men’s circuit she’d be like 700 in the world.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t think Serena is an incredible player. I do, but the reality of what would happen would be I think something that perhaps it’d be a little higher, perhaps it’d be a little lower. And on a given day, Serena could beat some players. I believe because she’s so incredibly strong mentally that she could overcome some situations where players would choke ’cause she’s been in it so many times, so many situations at Wimbledon, The U.S. Open, etc. But if she had to just play the circuit — the men’s circuit — that would be an entirely different story.”

Later, Williams took to Twitter to fire back, basically telling McEnroe to put some respect on her name and mind his business.

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

via GIPHY

Back in 2015, McEnroe called Williams “arguably the greatest athlete of the last 100 years” after her win at Wimbledon. And, following her US Open win in 2012, he said, “You’re watching, to me, the greatest player to ever play the game.”

Wonder why he’s suddenly changed his tune?

TOPICS:  Serena Williams
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