Serena Responds to John McEnroe’s ‘700th in the World’ Comment

John McEnroe said he would place Serena Williams “like 700 in the world” on the ATP Tour.

Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, fired back at John McEnroe's remark that she would only rank about 700th on the men's tennis circuit.

McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, called Williams "best female player ever – no question," in comments to National Public Radio aired Sunday.

But asked why she should not be considered the best of all time, McEnroe added:

If she had to just play the circuit – the men’s circuit – that would be an entirely different story

Speaking on a tour to promote his new book But Seriously, the 58-year-old tennis player said he would place Williams “like 700 in the world” on the ATP Tour.

Williams took to Twitter to respond to the tennis legend.

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

Williams, 35, won this year's Australian Open for her seventh Melbourne crown and her 23rd Slam singles title setting an Open Era record and moving one shy of Margaret Court's all-time Slam singles title record.

In April, Williams announced that she was pregnant and would not compete for the remainder of the season.

McEnroe is a former world number one like Williams and has won four US Open and three Wimbledon singles titles.

(With PTI inputs)

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