It must have been a slow news day for seven-time slam singles champion John McEnroe to reckon 23-time slammer Serena Williams would be ranked around 700 if she played the men’s circuit.
A pain in the butt as a player, McEnroe has turned into a superb television commentator, having left his stupidity on the court.
All jokes aside, what McEnroe said about Serena Williams – probably the greatest woman tennis player ever – is quite right.
He’s not belittling Serena in any way, praising her power and dedication.
“But men are stronger, it’s as simple as that,” was his explanation.
There were two high profile battles of the sexes in 1973 when 55-year-old Bobby Riggs, a three-time slam singles winner who was a renowned hustler and gambler, challenged Margaret Court and Billie Jean King.
Riggs stitched up record 24-time slammer Court 6-2 6-1, but lost 6-4 6-3 6-3 to 12-time Slam singles champion Billie Jean.
Riggs later claimed he threw the second match to repay gambling debts.
Whether that’s true or not, it doesn’t matter. Billie Jean won, and won comfortably, to be the only woman to beat a man on the court, even though she was 26 years younger.
In 1992, in the battle of the lefties, Jimmy Connors beat Martina Navratilova 7-5 6-2.
Strength is the obvious key.
Usain Bolt’s 100m world track record is 9.58, Florence Griffith Joyner’s mark is 10.49.
Over 200, Bolt’s record is 19.19, Joyner’s 21.34.
In the pool, Cesar Cielo holds the men’s 100 free world record at 46.91, Cate Campbell the women’s mark at 52.06.
In the 1500 free, Sun Yang’s world mark is 14,31.02, Katie Ledecky’s record 15,25.48.
In 2013, Andy Murray said he would love to play against Serena who replied “That would be fun, but I doubt I’d win a point”.
I’ll leave the last word to 34-year-old Russian Dmitry Tursunov, who was ranked 20 in his heyday, but now ranked 701.
“I’d back myself to beat Serena – she’s pregnant, and I’m not”.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I don't know about bridge but in chess there was one high ranked woman.
John Spehr
Guest
I agree. Is it just an urban myth that Flo Jo retired the day they announced random drug testing?
John Spehr
Guest
I attended a 'clinic' in the early 80's at the Paraburdoo Squash Club in the Pilbara. The star attraction was Sue Cogswell the World's No 1 squash player at the time, visiting Australia in the off season. Sue had a hitup with our best players and was asked how she thought she would fare against the top male player. She replied: "I wouldn't win a point". It was due to court speed, which in turn was due to the different structure of the pelvis and that was because men don't have babies. You might as well compare cats and dogs (no disrespect meant for cats, dogs, women or men). Move on!
Let The One King Rule
Guest
So simple solution, then - as with boxing, qualify any claim to be 'the greatest' with the addendum 'male' or 'female.' Again, Lord and McEnroe's comments are just one side of a coin, coming about because commentators elsewhere have seen fit to label Serena the 'greatest of all time'.
Craig
Guest
Surely if referencing the Williams sisters you should be talking about their game against Braasch at the Aus Open,. Braasch towelled them up 6-1 and 6-2 and was hardly trying. He had had a few beers and played a round of golf before he strolled on to the court. McEnroe is completely right, but what is his point. They should be judged as different competitions.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Well, not really. In the age of gender equality it's only fair that men and women are compared on the same level from time to time. In just about any other profession it is the ability to do the job that determines worth. Nothing wrong whatsoever with the column - no different to comparing where the best US college athletes would fit in the pro leagues. If it offends you then either put forward your argument against it or simply read something else.
Fight Fair
Guest
Quite right she would flogg Federra and Nadal, therefore she is the greatest. Or maybe she is the greatest in her catogorie.
Bruce
Guest
Yeh, equal pay for far less work that far fewer people actually want to see.
northerner
Guest
In boxing, it is indeed "pound for pound." Why do people like Lord and McEnroe and their acolytes on this thread change the rules when it comes to men vs women? I've read just a few too many comments from people demanding that women compete against bigger, stronger men to prove their worth, while having no issue with splitting boxing, karate, weightlifting, etc into weight divisions so that comparable competes with comparable. And McEnroe is one of those people, by the way.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
I always thought the mantra was " equal work for equal pay." Seems like in the tennis world it's " less work for equal pay." It's 2017 - where are the shrieks of " sexism " ?!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Haha, you've got no idea mate. I've got a thicker skin than any of you cretins.
Krackpot
Guest
That makes sense...most of your comments come across as someone who has been victimised and every turn...you also have the it's not fair comment chucked in there a lot as well. Def a greens voter!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Greens voter actually
David Lord
Expert
Spoken like a true blue Labor voter.
Let The One King Rule
Guest
Actually you'll find lots of May weather fans who maintain that he could match it with the heavy weights and part of Pacquiao's mythos stems from his ability to win titles in multiple weight classes. Further, in boxing, it is never claimed that any given fighter is the greatest - that statement is always qualified with 'pound for pound'. The same is true of any sport with weight divisions. McEnroe's comments came because Serena has been widely commented to be the greatest tennis player ever. No qualifier. He and Lord are responding to a conversation, not starting it.
Matt
Guest
They all play tennis and the greatest player of tennis is a man not a women and she would be ranked 700th or lower if she played on the mens circuit fact.. Its simply the truth ppl are too ridiculous now..
Paul D
Roar Guru
Similar reasons I imagine as to why all the very best chess and contract bridge players in the world are men
Bruce
Guest
She'd struggle to beat any male on tour. As everyone knows, nadal/federer etc would beat her 6-0 6-0 6-0. What would be interesting is the best male and female darts/pool/snooker players competing. These sports have no physical advantage for men, but I'd imagine the male players would crush their female counterparts.
northerner
Guest
I think Jeff's the one who needs a safe space. He can't quite cope with the fact that its 2017, not 1952. Give the man a hug.
spruce moose
Guest
100% Flo Jo or not, the 10.49 run had a dodgy anemometer, and is reluctantly recognised as a WR. not that it matters...her second and third fastest times haven't been near threatened either. Only Marion Jones (the biggest cheat of all) has got close. No question she was on the juice.