Kyrgios fires up over Serena Williams sledge
Nick Kyrgios has been dragged into the John McEnroe-Serena Williams saga, and the young Aussie isn't happy about it.
American tennis great McEnroe on Monday made some controversial comments when asked whether Serena was the greatest player of all time, male or female.
Although McEnroe has no doubt Williams is the best female player, he doesn't think she would fare well competing against men.
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"Best female player ever, no question," McEnroe said.
"But if she played the men's circuit she'd be like 700 in the world.
"On a given day, Serena could beat some players. I believe because she's so incredibly strong mentally that she could overcome some situations where players would choke because she's been in it so many times, so many situations at Wimbledon, the US Open, etc.
"But if she had to just play the circuit - the men's circuit - that would be an entirely different story."
Serena responded on Twitter, and she wasn't particularly impressed:
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
McEnroe's comments led journalist Tony Jones to suggest Serena could beat a number of the top male players in the world, including our very own Kyrgios.
"I agree with him on one point. I think she would beat Nick Kyrgios," Jones told 3AW.
"I say that because she has a power game, there's no doubt about that.
"But he touched on something that is more important, especially when you're playing someone like Nick Kyrgios who's brittle above the shoulders, it's a mind game as well.
"Her mental strength alone would see her get the better of someone like Nick Kyrgios. I'd back her in."
Kyrgios quickly took to Twitter with his take:
And, we have officially seen it all 😅🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/blFOr6VhoP
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 26, 2017
If this is the case, Djokovic, Fed & Nadal would struggle against her? Since they all have had a tough match against me? 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 26, 2017
Kyrgios's response was applauded by majority of fans, as well as fellow players Thanasi Kokkinakis and Rennae Stubbs:
@3AW693 😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) June 26, 2017
Omg 😂😂😂😂😂 !!!!!!! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) June 26, 2017
This is laughable she wouldn't get a game against nick
— steve donald (@stevedonald08) June 26, 2017
LMFAOO you're 6-0, 6-0,6-0'ing her if we're being real
— Alain (@AlainAdk) June 26, 2017
Lleyton Hewitt even chimed in:
Haha... @NickKyrgios 😂🤔😱 Good comment Chompers you goose! https://t.co/dqyYWH3bl9
— Lleyton Hewitt (@lleytonhewitt) June 26, 2017
with Sporting News