John McEnroe Calls Serena Williams Best Female Tennis Player; Internet Reacts | TODAY

In his latest book, former “bad boy of tennis” John McEnroe calls Serena Williams the best female tennis player in the world, but says she would be ranked “like 700” on the men’s circuit. TODAY’s Sheinelle Jones reports from the Orange Room on the online reaction.

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John McEnroe Calls Serena Williams Best Female Tennis Player; Internet Reacts | TODAY

[stNumberOne]

I forgot, in this day in age we have to pretend that there is no difference between men and women. The fact that what he said was questioned in the first place is what is astounding. He said shes the BEST woman IN THE WORLD. What else do you want? Oh, I forgot we cant acknowledge the fact that shes a woman. This is getting sad and pathetic.

[veemacks]

You can't pile on him for stating a fact. Watch a marathon and see how the first several hundred to finish are men, or Iron man times, or weight lifting weights. It's not an insult to state a fact.

[JeffBourke]

MISLEADING!!! If you actually listen to the QUESTION that was asked of him, it was clearly the reporter who was pursuing an agenda here. McEnroe was just answering a question honestly.

[spaveevo]

What he said is true. She is the best womens player. If she played Federer it would be 6-0 6-0. Maybe she would get a game but i doubt it. There is a reason we have the WNBA too. Its not a secret why women dont play in the NBA. Her serve and power is amazing. In the mens game its below average and her movement would be well below the other men. She is 5'9 and weighs 155. This is well below almost all other men. The average for men is 6'2 and 180 lbs. Some men are 6'9 and 225.

[kasparl]

I don't see anything controversial in his statement. If anything, 700 might actually be a bit optimistic. Serena, as well as the likes of Pliskova, can serve big and probably hit harder than even some top men. However, when it comes to consistency, men's tennis is a different ball game. Anyone who has watched both can attest to that. Men's tennis is much cleaner, there are a lot less random unforced errors etc, which ultimately makes the difference. So the news lady, who rolls her eyes at the 700 ranking, clearly knows nothing about tennis.

[ramon]

Serena herself had said that mens is tennis is a whole different thing that she wouldn't be able to compete in, McEnroe's statement is a non-issue

[sakthivelpillai]

He is right.... she can not win one grand slam in men't circuit.... she can not so any men player will have fun seeing her breaking her ankle or knee by making her run back and forth on the court.... hahahahahaha Johnny Mac is a genius and he exactly knows what he is talking about!!

[shayanmotamedy]

When John said 700 I was like that's generous. I know college players at my school who can destroy her.

[jeffnelson]

Mr. Mac couldn't be more right! Speaks the truth! And folks can't handle it! Its not sexist, it's facts!

[unguidedreaper]

Lmfao women calm down. She is the best WOMENS tennis player of all time. But he's right here. Serena is great. I will not debate that at all.

[shawnkerns]

my brother played Mcenroe at the US Open and I know that Chris Evert when she was number one in the World couldn't get a game off her little brother when he was 16

[KnightGlint]

His 700 evaluation was even better when he evaluated himself as 1200.

[nicholasgordon]

People who don't watch tennis don't understand how good the top male tennis players are. They think just cuz she's Serena she would match up with anyone. And if u watch tennis I know you agree with me.

[johnrichardson]

Lol she would not even make top 10, 000 women can't handle the serve of a man let alone his game.if serena played any man it would be 6-0, 6-0, 6-0

[daddyrabbit]

Give me a break... what a non issue. I swear the female reporter was picking a fight.

[swiperboysb]

williams LOST to a dude ranked 200 6-1.... stop trying to compare men vs women in sports

[cbodessia]

Each competitor in ANY sport - golf, tennis, NBA, football, soccer etc - should be judged purely on how they stack up against their fellow competitors. Roger Federer is the best men's tennis player, because he's achieved the most success playing against men. Serena Williams is the best women's tennis player, because she's achieved the most success playing against women. You can't even compare the two because they've faced different competition. But, Serena has done the better job against HER competition than Federer has against HIS competition. 23 Grand Slam titles to Roger's 18.

Serena is the G.O.A.T. It's not gender-related. It's facts.

[feeh]

Best female player? Who's kidding who? Strip the Williams brothers of their titles, titles that should have gone to women, It's never too late.

[holygoalie]

Yeah this shouldn't be controversial state, mainly because he was asked a question and answered it honestly. What I admire about women's tennis compared to other women's sports is that it is genuinely entertaining.

[austinbridges]

if I remember correctly I think the 701st player is a great player too