John McEnroe really caused an uproar by stating while Serena Williams may be the best women's tennis player ever, she wouldn't be able to compete with the men. But let's be clear, McEnroe didn't just volunteer the information. He was prodded by the female interviewer to talk about Serena Williams. Here's how that conversation went:
NPR: "So let's talk about Serena Williams."
McEnroe: "Love her. The greatest women's tennis player in the world."
N: "Yeah...but why qualify it by saying women? Some would say that she's the greatest player in the world."
M: "...You...mean the greatest....player? No. She's not the greatest player in the world."
N: "Why not?"
M: "Because she'd rank 700 in the men's division."
It seems to me like the NPR reporter is either completely unaware of the physiological difference that separates men and women in athletics or was herself indignant that McEnroe didn't say that Serena was the best player ever. Either way, she baited him HARD.
Do you remember that when Andy Murray challenged Serena to a match, she responded, "That would be fun, but I doubt I'll get a point." She later appeared on David Letterman and stated that she'd lose without scoring a point every time. Yet this time around, Serena was defensive, saying "Keep me out of your statements that are not factually based".
So...here's some facts for you Serena. I'll spare you the science; this is just stuff from the tennis world.
Karsten Braasch, a man once described as training "solely on beer and cigarettes" beat Venus and Serena 6-2,and 6-1, respectively, after a round of golf and beer. This event happened because the Williams sisters issued a challenge saying they can beat any male tennis player ranked 200 or worse. Braasch was ranked 203 at the time.
Chris Evert stated that when she was the number one ranked player, her brother, a college player, would beat her.
Kim Clijsters was engaged to Lleyton Hewitt when they were both #1 ranked players. Kim stated she never got a point off of Hewitt.
The two matches that woman had bested men in a so-called "Battle of the Sexes" are Neer vs. Willis and Riggs vs. King.
In Neer vs Willis, a 32-year old Neer, who was a former NCAA champion, struggled to keep up with the then Wimbledon champion Helen Willis.
In Riggs vs King, a 55-year old Bobby Riggs challenged the best women's player at the time, Billie Jean King, and lost.
Source:Wikipedia, Topendsports
So what's the takeaway on this? McEnroe was being factual, Serena is being prideful, and NPR is a garbage, hatemongering faux-news organization.
What's your take?