“Dear John McEnroe, please keep me out of your statements”- When pregnant Serena Williams was dismayed by American saying she’d be No. 700 in ATP Tour

Serena Williams was once disheartened by John McEnroe’s remarks on how she would fare on the ATP Tour. In an interview with GQ Sports in 2022, John McEnroe critiqued tennis scenes in Hollywood movies, praising the depiction of the sport in the 2017 film ‘Battle of the Sexes,’ which is based on Billie Jean King’s iconic win over Bobby Riggs.

McEnroe also highlighted his deeper understanding and empathy towards women’s players since becoming a father to four daughters, expressing his joy regarding King’s triumph over Riggs.
“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 said.

“I’ve had to hear it for the last 25 years that Serena Williams would have beaten me; I don’t like that part” – John McEnroe

In an interview with GQ Sports in 2022, John McEnroe critiqued tennis scenes in Hollywood movies, praising the depiction of the sport in the 2017 film ‘Battle of the Sexes,’ which is based on Billie Jean King’s iconic win over Bobby Riggs.McEnroe also highlighted his deeper understanding and empathy towards women’s players since becoming a father to four daughters, expressing his joy regarding King’s triumph over Riggs.
“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 said.

However, McEnroe emphasized his dissatisfaction with the prevalent belief stemming from King’s win that Serena Williams would have beaten him on court.
“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,” he added.