"I've had to hear it for the last 25 years" - John McEnroe on people saying he'd have lost to Serena Williams in a tennis match

WTA
Wednesday, 21 September 2022 at 05:00
McEnroe 1977
Former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe stated that he does not like to hear that Serena Williams could beat him in a match.
While reviewing tennis scenes in Hollywood movies for GQ Sports, the American praised the film Battle of the Sexes for its depiction of tennis.
He even commented on how the dynamics between men and women have changed since then and how he has grown to understand the women's perspective since becoming a father to four daughters.
"I became a father later, obviously, but I had four girls. So, and two boys. And so from that aspect alone, and I really sort of empathize and related and was happy that as it turned out Billie Jean ended up winning that message," he stated.
That said, he wasn't happy with many confidently proclaiming that Serena Williams could have beaten him over the last 25 years.
"Although I've had to hear it for the last 25 years that Serena [Williams] would have beaten me, so [I] don't like that part," said McEnroe.
He also gave some interesting details about the matchup between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, which formed the crux of the movie.
"By the way, that Bobby Riggs, who was a big gambler, we knew of his gambling exploits that he we released," revealed McEnroe. "We were hoping he threw the match on purpose because really, oh my god, You know, Billie Jean girl, beat Bobby Riggs. People forget that Bobby Riggs had beaten Margaret Court, a few months early, like, six months early in a match."
"So, this was her way to prove, like, I got to do it for all the female tennis players out there. But besides that pretty darn good movie."

Just In

Popular News