John McEnroe comments on Serena Williams

• BR1986FB

  I'm sure some of you have been following this. McEnroe praised Williams and said something to the effect of "she's the greatest female tennis player of all-time" to which the woman interviewing him said "why can't she be the greatest 'tennis' player of all-time (or currently, or some shit like that)" to which McEnroe relied that she wouldn't be in the "top 700 on the men's tour."
  
  Well, apparently there's been a big outrage over his comments. I don't get it but whatever. "700" was probably a bit over the top but she probably couldn't regularly beat men's pros in the top 100 (give or take). I thought, at one time, Ronda Rousey was an MMA beast and she'd probably kick the crap out of any dude off the street....but if she got in the ring with a skilled MMA guy, she'd get it handed to her.
  
  I just don't see what the big outrage is here. Your thoughts?
  
  http://www.npr.org/2017/06/27/534571590/dear-john-mcenroe-putting-serena-williams-on-the-mens-circuit-is-a-losing-game
• Spock

  

  Female golfers, WNBA players, olympic track athletes.........could go on and on and none of the women in these pro sports would beat any of the men. Put the fastest women in the world in a 100 meter against the men and they would be so far behind it would be unreal.
• like_that

  

  Just another thing for people to find a way to get offended and bitch about.
  
  Serena said herself she can't compete with the men. There is no debate. There is a reason why every sport separates the men and women.
• iclfan2

  

  Yea this was a whole bunch of non news. And as you pointed out, McEnroe didn't come out and just say this on his own, he was asked the dumb question by the reporter. I think she would beat some men occasionally but probably only below the top 50. This isn't even a diss on her, it's just how it is.
  
  Can we stop pretending that men and women are exactly the same?
• ernest_t_bass

  

  iclfan2;1860709 wrote:
  Can we stop pretending that men and women are exactly the same?

  That would lead to hurt feelz
• Spock

  

  she would probably beat Jon
• Laley23

  

  She isn't touching anyone in the top 100 lol. Not even on her best day. 700 is probably too high. Her average 1st serve is the hardest in women's history...it's a solid 25mph behind the men's. The men's second serve is only about 15 mph behind her first, and men only win around 50% of their second serve points. It would be a bloodbath. The spin, the pace, the strength of the game is sooooo excellerated on the Men's tour.
  
  He he said she would be ranked around 700, which makes sense. She might win a 1st round match at a random event. But on average she is going out 1st round every week and her ranking would end up around there. I believe there are about 1,200 ranked ATP Tour Men right now, so McEnroe going in the middle is honestly generous...
• Sonofanump

  I'd guess 700-800 is about right. Riggs was 55 when he crushed Court and lost close to King. BTW, King agrees with McEnroe.
• Ironman92

  

  Kinda made me lol. I think he's damn near spot on