"It's a complete joke" - Tennis fans furious over ESPN's ranking placing Andy Murray over Venus Williams

Following the recently released list of the top professional athletes by ESPN, tennis fans have expressed their outrage at British star Andy Murray being placed higher than WTA icon Venus Williams.

ESPN released a list of the top 100 professional athletes since 2000, with the two tennis greats being in the bottom half of the ranking (51-100). However, Murray was ranked No.80, whereas Venus Williams was ranked No.86. Other tennis stars like Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are likely to be included in the top half of the list when it's eventually released.

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Fans not pleased with Murray being placed higher than Williams

There was outrage among tennis fans upon viewing the list, with many saying Williams should be higher than Murray. Most argued Williams had a bigger impact on the sport, in addition to winning more Grand Slam titles. Williams has won seven singles and 14 doubles Grand Slam titles, whereas Murray has won three singles Grand Slam titles.

"Venus at #86 is blasphemous," wrote a fan.

"I think even Murray would rank himself lower than Venus," posted another fan on Twitter.

"Venus has more gold medals, more singles titles, more doubles titles, more career singles wins… not to mention her and Serena literally revolutionizing the sport," wrote another fan.

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Several other fans chimed in, with some pointing out Williams' longevity as she reached the Australian Open final at age 37, while Murray struggled to win a match at the Challenger level at the same age.

"Venus has more slams and gold medals…. And still not retired…. In 2017 at the age of 37 Venus made it to the Finals of Australian Open, Wimbledon and SF at US Open. In 2024 Andy Murray is now 37 years old could barely win a challenger match lol," said a fan.

"It’s a complete joke and from an American publication as well. Venus beat all time greats to win her Slams, won twice as many as Murray did, and had much, much better longevity as well," wrote another fan.

"What?? Among a million other accomplishments, she paved the way for SERENA. Wow. It must just be a bias against tennis?" questioned a fan.