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22 Aug 15
11:51
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05 Apr 06
I want to see that! Come on !
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/21/john-mcenroe-says-he-could-beat-serena-williams
Tennis veteran John McEnroe has boasted that he could still beat women’s world number one Serena Williams, even as she moves in on a calendar grand slam, a feat not seen in the women’s game in 17 years. McEnroe, now 56, and with more than two decades behind him since winning his last grand slam, made the claim on US chatshow Jimmy Kimmel live, adding he would be banned from locker rooms if he lost to “God forbid, a woman”.
His bold assertion comes as Williams, 23 years his junior, sets her sights on one more tournament victory to complete her set of all four grand slams in the tennis year. Steffi Graf was the last woman to achieve the feat in 1988; Williams needs to win the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York next month to do the same.
During the interview with Kimmel, McEnroe said he believed Williams, who has 68 titles to her name, was the greatest female player of all time. But when Kimmel asked if he thought he could beat her now, McEnroe replied: “My daughters are over there. I think it’s mixed, they think I’d probably lose to Serena. I believe that I could still take her.”
McEnroe, who has 77 titles under his belt, including three Wimbledon wins, recalled that real estate mogul Donald Trump – now a 2016 Republican US presidential candidate – had once offered to stage a match between McEnroe and Williams. “Fifteen years ago, Donald Trump – who seems to be in the news a little bit – he made an offer that I felt like was not enough,” McEnroe said. “I think he was humouring the two of us.
“Serena, she’s got a lot to lose by losing to an old fart like myself,” he said. “And I’ve got a lot to lose, because if I lose to, God forbid, a woman, then I’m not allowed in any men’s locker room for the next 15 years, or possibly the end of my life. So that’s part of why it’s intriguing.”
McEnroe, who is regularly seen commentating on tennis tournaments, including for the BBC at Wimbledon, suggested a showdown between himself and Williams would create a fever of interest similar to the welterweight boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
“I don’t think I could take her in the ring,” he added.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/21/john-mcenroe-says-he-could-beat-serena-williams
Tennis veteran John McEnroe has boasted that he could still beat women’s world number one Serena Williams, even as she moves in on a calendar grand slam, a feat not seen in the women’s game in 17 years. McEnroe, now 56, and with more than two decades behind him since winning his last grand slam, made the claim on US chatshow Jimmy Kimmel live, adding he would be banned from locker rooms if he lost to “God forbid, a woman”.
His bold assertion comes as Williams, 23 years his junior, sets her sights on one more tournament victory to complete her set of all four grand slams in the tennis year. Steffi Graf was the last woman to achieve the feat in 1988; Williams needs to win the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York next month to do the same.
During the interview with Kimmel, McEnroe said he believed Williams, who has 68 titles to her name, was the greatest female player of all time. But when Kimmel asked if he thought he could beat her now, McEnroe replied: “My daughters are over there. I think it’s mixed, they think I’d probably lose to Serena. I believe that I could still take her.”
McEnroe, who has 77 titles under his belt, including three Wimbledon wins, recalled that real estate mogul Donald Trump – now a 2016 Republican US presidential candidate – had once offered to stage a match between McEnroe and Williams. “Fifteen years ago, Donald Trump – who seems to be in the news a little bit – he made an offer that I felt like was not enough,” McEnroe said. “I think he was humouring the two of us.
“Serena, she’s got a lot to lose by losing to an old fart like myself,” he said. “And I’ve got a lot to lose, because if I lose to, God forbid, a woman, then I’m not allowed in any men’s locker room for the next 15 years, or possibly the end of my life. So that’s part of why it’s intriguing.”
McEnroe, who is regularly seen commentating on tennis tournaments, including for the BBC at Wimbledon, suggested a showdown between himself and Williams would create a fever of interest similar to the welterweight boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
“I don’t think I could take her in the ring,” he added.
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“I don’t think I could take her in the ring,” he added.
That I would pay to see...
That I would pay to see...
“I don’t think I could take her in the ring,” he added.
Not a pleasant thought.
Not a pleasant thought.
I would watch that match, I also think John might win should it ever happen.
ud want to be n ur health to try and take her in the ring
Serena's serve is sometimes up there in speed with many of the men today, best serve in women's history and I'd be surprised he if won 2 points in any of her service games let alone breaking.
Considering the racquet's he used most of his career and the racquets used today, it would be unfair, age difference aside, its a baseline game today even in women's tennis which takes away his ability to serve and volley, he would trouble her on serve with racquet enabling an even better slice serve than he had but with reduced power with age who knows. I wouldn't back him in a baseline rally so I'd give it to Serena.
Considering the racquet's he used most of his career and the racquets used today, it would be unfair, age difference aside, its a baseline game today even in women's tennis which takes away his ability to serve and volley, he would trouble her on serve with racquet enabling an even better slice serve than he had but with reduced power with age who knows. I wouldn't back him in a baseline rally so I'd give it to Serena.
A comfortable win for McEnroe in my opinion.
When Bobby Riggs played Margaret Court in 1973 the similarities were notable: Court was thirty years old, a power player and ranked world number one; Riggs was fifty-five, a six-time major winner, but thirty-four years since his last Wimbledon triumph.
Riggs won 6-2 6-1.
The follow-up match against Billie Jean King in 1975 was blatantly thrown by Riggs, allegedly to pay off his gambling debts. If anyone has any doubts about the validity of these allegations, just watch the two matches on YouTube. King was contracted to a rematch, but reneged.
When Bobby Riggs played Margaret Court in 1973 the similarities were notable: Court was thirty years old, a power player and ranked world number one; Riggs was fifty-five, a six-time major winner, but thirty-four years since his last Wimbledon triumph.
Riggs won 6-2 6-1.
The follow-up match against Billie Jean King in 1975 was blatantly thrown by Riggs, allegedly to pay off his gambling debts. If anyone has any doubts about the validity of these allegations, just watch the two matches on YouTube. King was contracted to a rematch, but reneged.
Even at an advanced age McEnroe would be huge odds on and rightly. Serena is a great womans player but she would be hard pushed to win even a game off a top level male player. That's just how it is.
I would like to know the odds of McEnroe making her cry. 
eeternaloptomist, that really is not how it is.
Jimmy Connors had quite a tough time playing against Martina Navratilova in the 1990s. He still won in straight sets, though, despite the fact that Navratilova was allowed to play to the doubles court, a massive advantage.
And EO is correct, Serena would struggle to get a game or two against any of the top male players in a serious match up, she's already admitted as much herself.
And EO is correct, Serena would struggle to get a game or two against any of the top male players in a serious match up, she's already admitted as much herself.
It would be a fascinating contest, if played seriously. I think despite similarities to the Riggs match, Williams would be much too strong (literally) and would win 6-2 6-2
Why Do Women Serve So Fast At The U.S. Open?
Although it’s not widely reported, in the U.S. Open, the men use a Wilson extra duty ball (which has a black US Open logo) while the women use a regular Wilson ball (with a red logo). That’s represents a small-but-significant difference.
Because of the rules of the game, both balls must be exactly the same size and bounce the same when dropped from the same height. But the extra duty ball, which is designed for hard court play, has a more rugged felt cover designed to hold up to the more abrasive court surface. The women’s regular duty ball, generally used on softer clay courts, sports a different cover. Right out of the can, the balls look quite similar, but after they’ve been hit only a few times, the extra duty balls fluff up and fly more slowly through the air.
Although it’s not widely reported, in the U.S. Open, the men use a Wilson extra duty ball (which has a black US Open logo) while the women use a regular Wilson ball (with a red logo). That’s represents a small-but-significant difference.
Because of the rules of the game, both balls must be exactly the same size and bounce the same when dropped from the same height. But the extra duty ball, which is designed for hard court play, has a more rugged felt cover designed to hold up to the more abrasive court surface. The women’s regular duty ball, generally used on softer clay courts, sports a different cover. Right out of the can, the balls look quite similar, but after they’ve been hit only a few times, the extra duty balls fluff up and fly more slowly through the air.
You're as entitled to your opinion as the next man scandinavian but the simple fact is that in any sport involving power, strength and speed the women are a considerable distance behind their male counterparts. The top male players like Djokovich are by some distance better even than a bog standard male player. He'd take Serena to the cleaners. Simple as that really.
some guy ranked over 200 in the world beat venus easily about 10 years ago
Serena williams aceing Djokovic twice, I think she would more than be able to to do the same to a 54 year old
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NACXLBczcS0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NACXLBczcS0
cardifffc
cardifffc
23 Aug 15 14:53
Joined: 10 Oct 03
| Topic/replies: 7,639 | Blogger: cardifffc's blog
some guy ranked over 200 in the world beat venus easily about 10 years ago
That guy would beat McEnroe now in straight sets, maybe drop 3 games.
cardifffc
23 Aug 15 14:53
Joined: 10 Oct 03
| Topic/replies: 7,639 | Blogger: cardifffc's blog
some guy ranked over 200 in the world beat venus easily about 10 years ago
That guy would beat McEnroe now in straight sets, maybe drop 3 games.
What I meant was that a current player ranked over 200 would easily beat McEnroe.
scandinavian
Let's keep on the point you took umbrage at for now. I said that a top player like Djokovic would wipe the floor with Serena. You disagreed and cited a couple of aces from her for evidence which I don't find in any way compelling. Any decently fit strong person could serve the odd ace against even the best with practice. That doesn't mean they wouldn't be blasted off the court in the rest of the game. Serena couldn't live with a top guy. Why argue? Even she has admitted as much and the scant evidence we have backs this up.
Of course a game between arguably the best womans player of all time and a guy who is probably thirty years past his own peak wouldn't be as easy to call but if it was on and the bookies priced it up I believe that Mac would still be favourite even now. But that's just an opinion. What isn't conjecture is what would happen if Serena played against any of the top male players. That wouldn't be any kind of contest for the reasons I've given.
Let's keep on the point you took umbrage at for now. I said that a top player like Djokovic would wipe the floor with Serena. You disagreed and cited a couple of aces from her for evidence which I don't find in any way compelling. Any decently fit strong person could serve the odd ace against even the best with practice. That doesn't mean they wouldn't be blasted off the court in the rest of the game. Serena couldn't live with a top guy. Why argue? Even she has admitted as much and the scant evidence we have backs this up.
Of course a game between arguably the best womans player of all time and a guy who is probably thirty years past his own peak wouldn't be as easy to call but if it was on and the bookies priced it up I believe that Mac would still be favourite even now. But that's just an opinion. What isn't conjecture is what would happen if Serena played against any of the top male players. That wouldn't be any kind of contest for the reasons I've given.
Lest we forget, Serena was 2 points from losing to Wee Plucky Heather on her best surface (grass) a month or so ago. Is that really the sort of form which would see her past McEnroe ?
Most of the cannon fodder she plays are beaten before they play the opening point.
Most of the cannon fodder she plays are beaten before they play the opening point.
eeternaloptomist lol, that's not what I was taking umbrage with at all, it was the first part of your sentence about Mcenroe, there is no way Serena would beat Djokovic, the point I made with that video clip is that if she can do that to a top player like Djokovic she wouldnt have a problem doing it to mcenroe at 54, I don't doubt for a second Novak would win in straights, the thread topic is Mcenroe v Williams and I doubt Mcenore would be strong favourite, that's the only debate I want to have not Novak v Willams. If you watch Mcenroe on the legends tour, with his movement at his age and with Serena's power and currently having the best 12 months of her life, she'd win for me.
John McEnroe is still a great tennis player.
I've been thinking about this potential match overnight and am now even more confident to be in the McEnroe camp, with the proviso it happens relatively soon before he's just that little bit too old. John's tactical acuity would overcome Serena's youth and power advantages in my opinion.
I've been thinking about this potential match overnight and am now even more confident to be in the McEnroe camp, with the proviso it happens relatively soon before he's just that little bit too old. John's tactical acuity would overcome Serena's youth and power advantages in my opinion.
Can't really see McEnroe winning that just purely from fitness point of view and that's providing he can still play,i would imagine she would eventually wear him down.
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