SETTLE IT
McEnroe calls for men v women to prove who has upper hand
JOHN McENROE has refused to apologise for comments he made about Serena Williams.
The former world No.1 stirred up a storm by claiming Williams, who holds the Open era record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, would be ranked around 700 in the men’s game.
Now he says men should play against women to settle the argument he sparked.
McEnroe has been widely criticised for appearing to belittle the achievements of Williams but defended his remarks.
After describing her as the greatest female player of all time he was asked why he had not just said greatest player.
He said: “I felt the need, however unfortunately, to defend myself and say what I really felt, which is about what I think she would be.
“I’ve got a solution. Solve the problem, and I’m sure the men would be all for this – the men and women play together. Then we don’t have to guess.”
Williams responded to McEnroe’s comments with a pithy response on Twitter.
The 35-year-old, who is away from the tour preparing to give birth to her first child, wrote: “Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.
“Respect me and my privacy as I’m trying to have a baby. Good day sir.”
Asked if he would like to apologise, McEnroe said: “No. I didn’t know it would create controversy.
“I don’t want anything to go wrong with Serena as she’s pregnant and I don’t want to upset her.
“I think she’s doing it tongue in cheek as well and I think deep down we’re talking about something . . . I can’t even believe we’re talking about it.”
Meanwhile, Andy Murray pulled out of his Wimbledon warm-up match at the Hurlingham Club with a sore hip.
The world No.1 was due to play two matches, with the first against Frenchman Lucas Pouille.
The decision was described by his team as a precaution, with Murray apparently still planning to play the second match against an as yet unnamed opponent on Friday