The Battle of The Sexes Saga! Remember Serena and Venus versus Karsten Braasch?!

In light of Serena’s absence from the game for a while, AND John McEnroe's recent comments about her in comparison to male players, let’s reminisce about one of my favorite past Serena moments.

Serena Williams, undoubtedly one of the best female players to hit the circuit. . . .ever. I don’t really think there’s any arguing that. And her sister Venus Williams, also regarded as one of the all-time greats in women’s tennis.

But, there is this constant back and forth argument among men and women, that no matter how great of a player, a male player of a much lower ranking could still dominate his female competitor.

Oh the ever-lasting battle of the sexes!

Well perhaps feeling a bit reminiscent about the iconic clash between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a very young and maybe slightly over-eager young Serena and Venus, 16 and 17 years old at the time - Serena ranked in the 20’s, and Venus in the top 10 – challenged German male player Karsten Braasch of Germany, ranked 203rd, to a match at the Australian Open.

After a glorious morning of golfing under the Melbourne sun, Braasch hit the court with the sisters where each would play one set against him.

Braasch would make sure to get in a few puffs of a cigarette and a few gulps of beer during changeovers. And the sisters inflated ego’s were quickly popped when Braasch took out Serena 6-1 and Venus 6-2.

Now of course 19 years later, and a record 7 Australian open titles later for Serena . . .

Let's go back to before Serena was pregnant. How do you think Serena would fair in a similar situation today? Obviously she’s much older, and wiser, and a much stronger player than she was back in 1998. But, if we were to have matched Serena up with the male number 203 player today, would the results still be the same? Hmmmm . . . .?

In general though, on this men versus the women topic, let’s hear some thoughts.

Annnnnnnd Go!

Follow Kerry:

[Omega-spxd]

The result would be the same, maybe 6-0 and 6-0 though. Biology > Feminism

[youuuuuuuuuuutube]

That Karsten guy was ranked #203 but the ATP ratings were not up-to-date, and one week later they were updated and he dropped to #350. So, had they waited a week later, they would have faced (and lost 6-1/6-2) against a #350 ranked guy.
There's no reason to believe they would be able to compete even against the top 700.

[ManOfWar]

Lol she skipped over their ages like it was nothing serious. The man is 55 and Billie Jean 29. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.

[IIDEADBIRDII]

She was closer to her prime back when she faced karsten compared to now. She would have no chance with a player ranked 500 or above. The point that people are missing is that when asked where he would rank himself mcenroe said he would place himself closer to 1200 and her at about 700. Wheres the sexist remark in that? Where is the bravodo that most of these videos are trying to push onto him?

[lassemaja]

Back when Karsten played one set versus Serena (6-1) and one versus Venus (6-2) he said this after the game: "They wouldn't have had a chance against anyone inside the top 500 because today I played like someone ranked 600th to keep it fun, "   =)

[heftylefty]

Yeah Serena couldn’t even hit the ball back against the 200 rank ATP dudes.

[yidy]

From a blog:
Before the matches, Braasch played a round of golf in the morning, drank a couple of beers, smoked a few cigarettes, and then played the Williams sisters for a set each, one after the other. He defeated Serena, 6-1, and Venus, 6-2. Serena said afterwards "I didn't know it would be that hard. I hit shots that would have been winners on the women's tour and he got to them easily."
Apparently, after the game, Serena and Venus immediately told the press they wanted to challenge a male player again. This time they revised the ranking of the man they wanted to face, to 350 in the world. I [Braasch] informed the journalist who told me this that in the next week I was set to lose a lot of ATP points and drop down to 350 in the rankings. I [Braasch] told him that if Venus and Serena waited just one week they could challenge me all over again!

More on this topic:
When former number 1's Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt were dating, she said that she struggled to win a point of Hewitt, let alone a game. When female player Chris Evert-Lloyd was at her peak, she said her brother who played low level college tennis beat her (from her autobiography).

[lesweenmachine]

Can you feel the crazy oozing from this lady or am I just tripping?

[RobMost]

Anyone in the top 200 would beat any women's player. It's as simple as that.

A 29 year old beating an old man doesn't make a difference in that...

[TingusThePingus]

Bobby Briggs however did beat Margaret court in straight sets. It's embarrassing that the women's world number 1 at the time still lost to a 55 year old man. If it wasn't for Billie Jean King women's tennis wouldn't be respected today

[kevincanales]

In general Serena herself has stated she won’t play against men because it’s completely different way quicker and stronger. She literally said she doesn’t want to be embarrassed

[MrBen]

As McEnroe mentioned, she might be able to beat some higher ranked guys if she was on fire and they were having a terrible day at the office, but playing on the ATP I doubt she'd even crack the Top 1, 000. Not only do men play with heavier balls and at a faster pace, but they'd be able to outlast her in any match that went over 3 sets.

To their credit though, at least Serena and Venus had the nerve to take on an active ATP player, even if it was out of pure arrogance. Every other WTA player knows that they would get humiliated.

[zel]

You forgot to mention the Navratilova-Connors match. Connors won despite him allowed only one serve and she was was allowed to use doubles lines.

[beansandwiched]

This is probably why 7 years and a bunch of videos later she only has 15k subs.

[healthystyle]

Why is there no video footage of kaarsten Braassh vs Serina williams on YouTube. ...Has it been banned??

[generalzod]

i don't think either of them in their prime could even beat a mid level college player to be honest. men are simply faster with greater agility and substantially stronger & more explosive.

[Morelloo]

braasch later declined down to 350th rank a week after this contest.

[richardsharp]

This is where I come when I get tired of reality.

[crzstal]

Serena Hersfelf Said she has NO Chance against men in an Interview and would get 6-0 in Like 5 minutes so this debate is useless

[erikjohnson]

Google "Williams sisters against Karsten Braach".
The dude humiliated them, and he had even had a couple of beers before he played them both.