GARCIA-NAVARRO: We're talking about male players, but there [are] of course wonderful female players. Let's talk about Serena Williams. You say she is the best female player in the world in the book.
MCENROE: Best female player ever — no question.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Some wouldn't qualify it; some would say she's the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
MCENROE: Oh! Uh, she's not, you mean, the best player in the world, period?
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Yeah, the best tennis player in the world. You know, why say female player?
MCENROE: Well, because if she was in, if she played the men's circuit, she'd be, like, 700 in the world.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: You think so?
MCENROE: Yeah. That doesn't mean I don't think Serena is an incredible player. I do, but the reality of what would happen would be I think something that perhaps it'd be a little higher, perhaps it'd be a little lower. And on a given day, Serena could beat some players. I believe because she's so incredibly strong mentally that she could overcome some situations where players would choke 'cause she's been in it so many times, so many situations at Wimbledon, the US Open, etc. But if she had to just play the circuit — the men's circuit — that would be an entirely different story.
I think 700 in the world is probably selling her short, even if I do agree with the general sentiment.
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Some wouldn't qualify it; some would say she's the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
EndOfDiscOne posted...
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Some wouldn't qualify it; some would say she's the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
I agree with 700 being a bit harsh, but this is the most ridiculous comment in the interview
It's factual, just lacks tact in this environment
Same applies for nearly all other sports
Oh and to be even more frank about this. We don't actually have "mens sports" and "womens sports" when it comes to league structure. What we actually have is "best players" and "best female players" leagues.
SmartMuffin posted...
Oh and to be even more frank about this. We don't actually have "mens sports" and "womens sports" when it comes to league structure. What we actually have is "best players" and "best female players" leagues.
Does this extend to things like bowling and pool?
I mean we know that even NASCAR, which is about as red-tribe of a sport that will ever exist, welcomed female drivers with open arms
Are there female bowlers who are just as good as male ones, but are forbidden to compete in the top bowling league? I feel like that would be a scandal if true (and correctly so!)
What he said is right and sexist, obviously
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Some wouldn't qualify it; some would say she's the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
EndOfDiscOne posted...
GARCIA-NAVARRO: Some wouldn't qualify it; some would say she's the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
Actually this is the more offensive comment.
Forget even mentioning Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Murray because it would be an asinine suggestion to say the least. Just try imagining Serena playing someone like Del Potro, Raonic or even a Fognini or a Verdasco. I don't see any scenario where she doesn't get double bagelled.
This female revolution thing for Women's sports is great and I love that women are treated equally important as men like they should but there is a certain point where you just draw a line.
Just imagine these ridiculous male/female match ups in your head and tell me they are equals with a straight face.
Federer/Serena - 5 set Wimbledon Match
Best NBA team/Best WNBA team - Series Playoffs (sorry don't watch basketball but I know the ridiculous difference between the NBA and WNBA teams)
Barcelona F.C/FIFA Women's Dream Team
Cain Velasquez/Amanda Numes - UFC Heavyweight Championship
Brock Lesnar/Charlotte - WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar/Charlotte - WWE Championship
Axl_Rose_85 posted...
Brock Lesnar/Charlotte - WWE Championship
wouldn't this one just depend on the script?
Best NBA team/Best WNBA team - Series Playoffs (sorry don't watch basketball but I know the ridiculous difference between the NBA and WNBA teams)
Axl_Rose_85 posted...
Best NBA team/Best WNBA team - Series Playoffs (sorry don't watch basketball but I know the ridiculous difference between the NBA and WNBA teams)
This might be the biggest beatdown of them all. I'm not sure the best WNBA team would even score a basket outside of just heaving it full court and hoping it goes in.
Kenri posted...
Axl_Rose_85 posted...
Brock Lesnar/Charlotte - WWE Championship
wouldn't this one just depend on the script?
Axl_Rose_85 posted...
Best NBA team/Best WNBA team - Series Playoffs (sorry don't watch basketball but I know the ridiculous difference between the NBA and WNBA teams)
This might be the biggest beatdown of them all. I'm not sure the best WNBA team would even score a basket outside of just heaving it full court and hoping it goes in.
He might have exaggerated the ranking, but he's right. He was asked the question point blank and he answered it, so I have no issue with him saying it. It was a bad question more than anything else.
people will call floyd mayweather or andre ward the best boxer on earth, but there's no way they could handle anthony joshua or wladimir klistchko
so in that sense, calling serena #1 is understandable, even if she wouldn't beat everyone she was matched against
If you want to argue that Serena is the most accomplished or most dominant tennis player relative to her competition, that's an argument that can be made. It just depends on how you define "best," I guess. If it's "could beat anybody ever," then Serena's not in the discussion.