How One Sentence Can Conjure Up a Storm- McEnroe and Serena’s Recent Spat
Wozniacki has only added some more fuel to the flame that McEnroe started when he stated that Serena Williams would probably be ‘like 700 in the world” if she played on the men’s tour.
Wozniacki defended her good friend. “I don’t really think you should be comparing like that. If you want to compare results, then I think the greatest tennis players of all times right now are Roger and Serena. And if you want to compare results, then compare the two greats. That is only fair.”
Serena Williams decided to handle McEnroe’s comments by tweeting her disapproval in two simple and distinct tweets, the first saying, “Dear John, I adore and respect you, but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.”
The second tweet was a little bit more scathing. “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.”
A lot of players seem to be reacting strongly to the above comments, not because of the inherent issue of whether men’s tennis is superior to women’s tennis, but because it seems as if McEnroe is trying to talk women’s tennis down.
McEnroe has said that he regrets making such a comment, and even said that Serena could beat some men’s players because of her mental strength and experience.
“She could overcome situations where players would choke because she has been in it so many times..” said McEnroe.
World number 701, Dmitry Tursunov has also been prompted to speak out, saying that he believes that he could defeat Serena. Although the Russian did admit that it seemed as if McEnroe was disrespecting women’s tennis, “the reality” is that “men are stronger in general” and that “I would hope that I would win against Serena.”
This simple comment by McEnroe propelled even the Australian broadcaster, Tony Jones, to say “I agree with (McEnroe) on one point: I think she would beat Nick Kyrgios.”
The broadcaster would go on to say ” (McEnroe) touched on something that is more important, especially when you’re playing something like Nick Kyrgios, who’s brittle above the shoulders- it’s a mind game as well. Her mental strength alone would see her get the better of someone like Nick Kyrgios- I’d back her.”
Of course Nick, who is not exactly the most level headed man on the tour, would be offended and would go on to tweet “If this is the case, Djokovic, Fed & Nadal would struggle against her? Since they all have had a tough match against me?”
Of course, McEnroe could have escaped this entire mess if he had thought a little bit before he had said anything. Yes, he could have said there are men on the tour who could beat Serena, and that men’s tennis is faster than women’s. In fact, Serena herself has admitted to this many times. The problem here is that with this simple statement, not only has McEnroe reignited the idea that men are inherently better at anything that involves competition, but has also targeted Serena, as well as Dmitry Tursunov, who honestly never though he would ever have to consider playing Serena Williams to uphold his ‘manly honor’.
Please McEnroe, think before you tweet.