July 27, 2017
John McEnroe stirs controversy when he says tennis star Serena Williams is the female G.O.A.T., but when compared to men, she would not fare too well.
Recently, tennis legend John McEnroe made waves of controversy when he said that Serena Williams is, in his opinion, is the greatest women's tennis player in history. He was being interviewed on NPR while promoting his newest book. The NPR host quantified her question by stating why does McEnroe feel she is the best "female" player, and not greatest "tennis player," of all time? McEnroe, in response, said that if Serena Williams played on the men's tour, she would be ranked somewhere around 700th in the world. That response set of a political and gender-related hornet's nest of people being offended, and a virtual rehash of the Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Everyone who commented on this story has an opinion of their own. Women defended Serena and felt that she could beat men's players. Men defended John McEnroe by stating that men are bigger, stronger and faster and any match between Serena and an elite man would be no contest. I personally agree with that assessment. Men are stronger, and the men's game is faster and is known for its sheer power in terms of rallies. Serena would not win against elite men's tennis players, but that does not stop people from commenting on this controversy.
I think the main problem with this kerfuffle is that women with an agenda, known as "social justice warriors," do tend to inflate female athletic success, and make assumptions and assertions about women competing against men, and expect men to not challenge that flagrantly biased assertion. I feel that is part of it: to create controversy to sell books, films, tv shows, etc. In other words, to devalue women's competitive athletic performance, but to ensure that any success is not inflated when trying to compare that achievement to any performance a man has done. Chris Evert was right when she stated that comparing men's and women's athletic achievements against each other was in fact, " comparing apples to oranges." However, it is women doing the comparing, reaching for a sense of vanity and a self-esteem boost.
Comparing women's achievements against men devalues those achievements by saying they are great stories of success, but suddenly change when compared against men's athletic achievement.
Just enjoy both.
Comparing women's achievements against men devalues those achievements by saying they are great stories of success, but suddenly change when compared against men's athletic achievement.
Just enjoy both.
