With twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles to her name, it's hard not to refer to Serena Williams as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport of tennis. If not the greatest.
And yet, there are still people that think Williams couldn't compete with the male athletes in her sport. One such person is of former Men's Number One John McEnroe.
According to the 58 year old retired tennis star, were Serena to play on the men's circuit she would be ranked "like 700 in the world."
In an interview with NPR to promote his new book "But Seriously", McEnroe claimed that Williams is the greatest female tennis player in the world.
In John McEnroe's new book "But Seriously," he calls Serena Williams the best female player ever. https://t.co/Pi0wwslFZG pic.twitter.com/k1WVaJFjkr
— NPR (@NPR) June 25, 2017
When quizzed about why he felt the need to say 'female tennis player', McEnroe said "Well because if she was in, 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." McEnroe continued. "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."
There were some (many actually) who disagreed with McEnroe's theory.
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
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Serena Williams is a Top 10 athlete. Gender should be irrelevant to the discussion. She dominates her competition at an insanely high level.
— Mike Welch (@RealMikeWelch) June 26, 2017
Serena would crush McEnroe in his prime. And Mac at his prime was great. But she would kill him. https://t.co/mFPkbE0Q5o
— Jason Karsh (@jkarsh) June 26, 2017
This is such a stupid pointless debate every time it comes up. "Hmm, how can I slight & diminish the GOAT in her sport," McEnroe mused. https://t.co/vnPHeBHVm5
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 26, 2017
Williams herself got wind of McEnroe's remarks and respectfully asked the former Wimbledon winner to stop talking about her.
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
