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John McEnroe Tried to Diminish Serena Williams’ Greatness, But the Internet Wasn’t Having It

A collage of a photo of John McEnroe and Serena Williams

Oh, John McEnroe. You tried it, you really did.

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On Sunday, McEnroe told NPR’s Weekend Edition host Lulu Garcia-Navarro that Serena Williams was the “best female [tennis] player ever — no question.” But when asked why he felt the need to caveat his response in gendered terms, McEnroe insisted, “…if she played the men’s circuit, she’d be, like, 700 in the world.”

That sound you hear is a collective “excuse you?” Indeed, Twitter made sure to set McEnroe straight, first by pointing out Williams’ own superpowers.

Others pushed back on the notion that the benchmark for greatness are head-to-head competitions between men and women.

Although, some folks were pretty sure Serena would take no mercy.

Speaking of lesser men, anyone pick up on a similar pattern on who sided with McEnroe?

Even Serena felt compelled to respond to McEnroe. And this style is one I like to describe as the most polite way to tell someone, “Hi, please exclude me from your bullshit narrative.”

In sum: Serena is the GOAT, and don’t you ever forget that.

GOOD DAY, SIR.

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