Serena Williams asks John McEnroe for respect after comparison to men

JOHN McEnroe caused a stir by suggesting Serena Williams would only rank about 700th on the men’s tennis circuit. The 23-time major champion has just hit back.

Tennis legend John McEnroe.

SERENA Williams, a 23-time grand slam singles champion, has fired back at John McEnroe’s remark that she would only rank about 700th on the men’s tennis circuit.

McEnroe, a seven-time grand slam singles winner, called Williams “best female player ever — no question,” in comments to National Public Radio aired Sunday.

But asked why she should not be considered the best of all time, McEnroe added: “If she had to just play the circuit — the men’s circuit — that would be an entirely different story.” McEnroe, speaking on a tour to promote his new book.

“But Seriously,” said he would place Williams “like 700 in the world” on the ATP Tour.

Serena Williams with the Australian Open trophy.

The controversy exploded on Monday, with Australian Nick Kyrgios somehow roped into the debate.

On Monday, Williams responded in two Twitter postings.

“Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based,” she wrote.

“I’ve never played anyone ranked ‘there’ nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I’m trying to have a baby. Good day sir.”

Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017

I've never played anyone ranked "there" nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017

Williams, 35, won this year’s Australian Open for her seventh Melbourne crown and her 23rd slam singles title, setting an Open Era record and moving one shy of Margaret Court’s all-time Slam singles title record.

In April, Williams announced that she was pregnant and would not compete for the remainder of the season.

Williams has won Wimbledon and the Australian Open seven times, the US Open six times and the French Open three times.

McEnroe, 58, is a former world number one like Williams. He won four US Open and three Wimbledon singles titles.

Originally published as Serena Williams asks John McEnroe for respect after comparison to men